Annual Virtual Event

Speaker: Courtland Warren

As the toxic drug crisis continues to drive overdose deaths across Canada, innovative harm reduction approaches are urgently needed. This session will explore the evolution of a safer supply program in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, highlighting the transition from oral hydromorphone to alternative pharmaceutical options such as fentanyl patches, injectable and smokable fentanyl, and diacetylmorphine (DAM). Through three focused presentations, the session will examine clinical rationale, program design, patient outcomes, and public health considerations. Attendees will gain practical guidance and insights from one of Canada’s largest safer supply programs, including the challenges and benefits of a sales-based distribution model. This session is ideal for those interested in the real-world application of emerging safer supply practices.

Crystal methamphetamine use among youth is a growing public health concern with significant health and social impacts. This session explores the effectiveness of a Contingency Management (CM) program—an outpatient behavioral therapy that rewards positive behavior change—delivered within a wrap-around service model for youth aged 18–25. Drawing on qualitative interviews and outcome measures such as urine drug screens, session attendance, and service engagement, the findings highlight reduced methamphetamine use, increased access to social supports, and renewed engagement in education. The session will also discuss the role of childhood adversity in substance use patterns and the value of integrated, youth-centered care. Attendees will gain insight into promising, scalable strategies for addressing stimulant use in vulnerable youth populations.

This session will explore the complexities of supporting infant feeding decisions among pregnant and lactating parents who use substances, in the context of an increasingly toxic and unpredictable unregulated drug supply. Participants will learn how health care teams can apply evidence-informed guidance, trauma-responsive care, and shared decision-making to promote health equity and parent-infant well-being. The session will highlight a new guideline developed by BC Women’s Hospital that addresses gaps in clinical practice related to human milk feeding and substance use. Emphasis will be placed on supporting safe lactation, strengthening attachment, and navigating the challenges of timing infant feeding around recent substance use. This session offers valuable insights for advancing equitable, compassionate care for peripartum individuals affected by substance use.

This session will examine an alternative approach to managing Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) through Rooming-In care at BC Women’s Hospital’s Families in Recovery (FIR) unit. Unlike traditional NICU admission with continuous monitoring, infants over 35 weeks gestation without comorbidities have been successfully treated with morphine oral sulfate on the mother-infant unit for over 20 years. A retrospective review of five years of data will be presented, highlighting the safety and effectiveness of this model, including respiratory outcomes and reasons for NICU transfers. The session will discuss how this approach supports family-centered care, reduces healthcare costs, and promotes better outcomes for both infants and families. Attendees will gain insights into innovative, less intensive NOWS management strategies that prioritize rooming-in and supportive care.

This session will present a comprehensive population-based analysis of perinatal substance use (PSU) in British Columbia from 2000 to 2022, examining the demographic and clinical characteristics of affected mothers and their children. Findings reveal high rates of prenatal exposure to cannabis, other substances, alcohol, and opioids, alongside significant mental health disorders in 70% of mothers and nearly one-third of their children by age 18. The study also highlights a concerning rise in maternal mortality, particularly following the introduction of fentanyl in 2016. This session will discuss the implications of these trends for healthcare services and the urgent need for specialized support and prevention strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to better address the complex needs of this vulnerable population.

This session will introduce the Sheway Indigenous Cultural Support Program, launched in March 2023 to provide culturally safe, full-time support for pregnant and parenting Indigenous people with substance use. Integrating Elders, traditional medicines, cultural workshops, and land-based healing within a community-based setting, the program blends clinical care with Indigenous knowledge to promote holistic wellbeing. Preliminary evaluations show increased uptake and retention of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and higher engagement among participants in cultural interventions. The session will highlight client success stories and share insights on respectful, collaborative practices that center Indigenous culture in healthcare. Attendees will gain practical strategies for integrating cultural support into substance use care for Indigenous populations.

This interactive, case-based workshop will explore best practices for managing substance use withdrawal in adolescents and young adults within hospital settings. Through didactic presentations and group discussions, participants will examine clinical, developmental, and psychosocial considerations unique to youth, including diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Presenters will share emerging evidence and withdrawal management protocols for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, grounded in trauma-informed, strength-based, and youth-centered care. Attendees will have the opportunity to apply and adapt these protocols to their own practice settings.

This session explores the clinical and societal challenges posed by methamphetamine and related stimulant compounds, which share structural and mechanistic similarities with prescription psychostimulants. Clinicians are often tasked with navigating complex diagnostic and treatment decisions, especially when substances of abuse are also approved treatments for conditions like ADHD. Presenters will examine the pharmacology, toxicology, and patterns of use of various stimulants to highlight important distinctions in risk, addiction, and therapeutic use. Through clinical insights and scientific evidence, the session will address how these complexities affect individual care, prescribing practices, and broader public health. A panel of experts will offer diverse perspectives followed by a discussion on evolving best practices in stimulant-related care.

The Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Toxicology of Changing Trends in Stimulant Use and Prescribing - Dr. Rasimas

Prescription Stimulants, ADHD, and Substance Use Disorders: A Complex but Important Relationship - Dr. O'Nell-Meyer

Prescription Stimulants and Risk of Psychotic Symptoms: The Example of Delusional Infestation - Dr. Margaret Puelle

This workshop will explore various models of drug decriminalization implemented in Canada and internationally over the past 25 years, examining their historical context, data, and outcomes. Presenters will guide participants through a critical analysis of these approaches, highlighting both successes and challenges. Through facilitated group discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to share perspectives and rethink how decriminalization policies can be adapted to better serve communities. The session will also cover effective advocacy strategies to advance drug decriminalization. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of decriminalization and practical tools for promoting policy change. 

In response to rising drug toxicity, high opioid tolerance, and low treatment retention rates, this session will present newly developed, consensus-based guidance for methadone prescribing. Developed by a multidisciplinary team—including physicians, a nurse practitioner, a pharmacist, and people with lived experience—this guidance emphasizes person-centered, holistic care and integrates both clinical evidence and experiential knowledge. The session will outline practical strategies for methadone initiation, titration, and retention, with considerations for diverse care settings and patient populations. Attendees will learn how these updated recommendations aim to improve safety and engagement in opioid agonist therapy (OAT). The session will also highlight areas for future research and continued adaptation in response to an evolving drug landscape.

This session explores the impact of British Columbia’s decriminalization initiative—and its 2024 amendment to re-criminalize public drug use—on harm reduction (HR) and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services from the perspective of front-line providers. Drawing on interviews with 18 service providers across the province, the study reveals that while decriminalization led to few operational changes, systemic challenges like staffing shortages, inadequate funding, and a toxic drug supply continue to strain services. The policy amendment, shaped by stigma and political pressures, further complicated efforts to support people who use drugs. Attendees will gain insight into how shifting drug policies intersect with on-the-ground realities and what is needed to improve HR and OAT access and effectiveness. Recommendations include enhancing provider training, expanding public education, and investing in service capacity.

This session will present findings from a retrospective analysis of fentanyl-based prescribed safer supply (PSS) programs in British Columbia between 2021 and 2022. As hydromorphone formulations failed to meet the needs of individuals with high fentanyl tolerance, prescribers began offering alternatives such as fentanyl patches, powder, sufentanil, and fentanyl citrate. The study describes the demographic and clinical characteristics of 317 individuals accessing these options, along with outcomes related to mortality and treatment retention. Findings highlight that fentanyl-based PSS served a small, highly marginalized population with long-term opioid use, showing comparable mortality but lower retention rates than traditional opioid agonist treatments. Attendees will gain insight into the role of fentanyl-based PSS in addressing gaps in care for people at highest risk of overdose.

This session presents a population-based evaluation of the short-term impacts of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy, implemented on January 31, 2023, as part of efforts to reduce drug-related harms. Using health administrative data and an interrupted time series analysis, the study examined trends in opioid poisoning events, OAT dispensing, and visits to supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites. Results showed no significant immediate changes in most indicators, though a concerning declining trend was observed in the rate of clients dispensed OAT medications post-decriminalization. The reasons behind this trend remain unclear, pointing to the need for further investigation. Attendees will gain insights into early outcomes of decriminalization and considerations for ongoing evaluation and policy refinement.

This session will highlight the expansion of Canada’s first hospital-based overdose prevention site (OPS) at St. Paul’s Hospital to include supervised inhalation services in response to changing patterns of substance use. Following the expansion in May 2024, site visits significantly increased, and hospital-wide overdose-related code blue events dropped by 60%. Survey results also showed high levels of patient satisfaction, reduced stigma, and improved ability to stay in hospital to complete medical treatment. The findings suggest that offering safer inhalation services in hospital settings is an effective, patient-centered harm reduction strategy. Attendees will gain insights into how integrating inhalation into OPS can enhance care and reduce overdose-related risks within healthcare environments. 

This session provides a valuable opportunity for Fellowship Directors to connect in person. While the meeting is primarily intended for Program Directors of Canadian College of Family Physicians or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Addiction Medicine/Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship programs, individuals interested in developing a new fellowship program are also welcome to attend for networking and informal learning. Please note that this will be a regular working meeting with agenda items chosen by current directors; there will be no formal presentations. This session offers a space for discussion, collaboration, and shared learning focused on program development and ongoing advancement.

This informal meet-and-greet offers current Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry fellows from across Canada a chance to connect in person. It's a great opportunity to network, share experiences, and build community with peers in the field.

Comorbid psychiatric disorders are frequently seen among individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUD), yet diagnosing and managing these conditions can be complex. This session will support addiction medicine clinicians in improving their assessment and treatment of common co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including depression, psychosis, anxiety, and personality disorders. Presenters will offer practical guidance on recognizing overlapping symptoms, understanding the nuances of intoxication and withdrawal, and implementing integrated, biopsychosocial treatment approaches. By addressing these comorbidities within routine addiction care, clinicians can help improve patient outcomes and confidence in managing complex cases. Attendees will leave with enhanced skills to deliver more comprehensive and informed care.

1. “What's the Point of Going in Every Morning? Might as Well Just Start Using Again”: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring Attitudes Toward Opioid Agonist Therapy During the Overlapping Toxic Drug Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic.

2. A Decade’s Journey: Using Measurement-Based Care in Inpatient Substance Use Treatment.

3.A Scoping Review of Current Harm Reduction Practices among Indigenous Populations in Australia, Canada, and the United States

4. A Series of Iterative Design Studies of A4i-O: A Digital Tool for Opioid Addiction.

5. Addressing the Unique Needs of Women with Concurrent Disorders: A Review of the Development of a Women’s (+) Trauma and Concurrent Treatment Program

6. Alcohol and Cannabis Co-Use: Understanding the Impact of Substance Use Patterns on Problematic Use

7. AN INTEGRATED CARE MODEL ACROSS A COMMUNITY-BASED MANAGED ALCOHOL PROGRAM AND HOSPITAL-BASED ADDICTION SERVICES.

8. Ascending Paralysis Due to Subacute Combined Degeneration and B12 Deficiency Following Nitrous Oxide Inhalation.

9. Assessing the Preparation of Interdisciplinary Addiction Fellows to provide culturally competent virtual care to rural and remote populations.

10Access to a primary care provider and its association with patient-initiated discharge among hospitalized individuals who have a substance use disorder.

11. Asynchronous Telehealth in the Correctional Health Setting, learnings and outcomes.

12. Attitudes and Experiences of Patients Using Implantable Probuphine for Opiate Use Disorder.

13. Behind the Screen: An Analysis of Stigmatizing Substance-Related Discussions on Canadian Subreddits

14. BIRCH - A Virtual Hub for Substance Use Treatment Programming within First Nations Communities.

15. Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Accuracy in Self-Reported Substance Use Data within Standardized Screening in a Community Mental Health and Substance Use Setting.

16. Buffalo Riders Early Intervention Program for First Nations Youth ages 11-17 : Program Facilitator Training.

17. Building a national research agenda for concurrent disorders health and well-being: Results from a Canadian Think Tank.

18. Caring for families living with substance use: animated discussion and Rond Point visit.

19.Cascade of Care for Hepatitis C Treatment Among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in Ontario: Barriers and Outcomes in an Integrated OAT Model.

20. Characteristics of Individuals On Opioid Agonist Treatment Initiating Slow-Release Oral Morphine in Ontario: A Population-level Study

21. Childhood Adversity and Mood Disorders: Differential Associations with Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

22. Clinician Perspectives on the Implementation and Usability of a Mental Health and Substance Use Screener in a High-Demand Community Intake Setting.

23. Cognitive Dysfunction in the Addictions: Baseline Features of a Novel Cohort of Adults with Substance Use Disorder.

24. Comparing psychiatric symptom severity across addiction care settings

25. Creating safe, inclusive spaces for hospital-based health care staff and people who use drugs: an exploratory qualitative study in Vancouver, Canada

26. Does comorbid substance use disorder moderate the perceived benefits of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes in Canadians with PTSD.

27. Factors Influencing Stigma Towards People Who Use Drugs in New Brunswick, Canada

28. Familial Counterculture and Systemic Alienation in Addiction

29. From Struggle to Strength: 12-month Outcomes and the Role of Integrated Services for Transitional Aged Youth with Concurrent Disorders

30. From Vision to Reality: How Peer Navigation and Community Care Coordinators Bridge Addiction Services in Alberta

31. Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Potential Role in the Treatment of Addictive Disorders

32. Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training Workshop: Learning from Lived Experience

33. Harm Reduction Approaches & Naloxone Training for First Nations

34. Healing Together: Interdisciplinary Group Medical Visits Transforming Alcohol Use Disorder Care in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.

35. Higher Exposures with 300-mg Buprenorphine Extended-Release (BUP-XR) Increased the Proportion of Responders Among Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Patients with Heavy Fentanyl Use

36. Hypoxemia Detection in Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

37. Impact of Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD on Opioid Agonist Treatment Retention

38. Implementation of Hepatitis C virus screening and management intervention for addictions patients in an outpatient clinic in Toronto

39. Implementing a provincial system-wide Harm Reduction Policy at NS Health - Successes and Lessons Learned

40. Implementing and Leading an Acute Care Addiction Medicine Consult Service: Lessons learned after 10 years of service delivery

41. Insights from the Road to Recovery

42. National Guidance to Support Youth Substance Use Health in Pediatric Hospital Settings

43. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

44. Novel Cannabis Products and Modes of Consumption in Ontario, Canada: An Environmental Scan

45. Nowhere to Go: A parallel convergent mixed methods study examining the health of people who experience emergency shelter service restrictions

46. Pearls and pitfalls of virtual RAAM care: Practical tips from real-world stories

47. Peer Support as a Practice: A Simple Solution to a Complicated Problem

48. Peer Support Facilitated Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Substance Use Disorder: Integration of the Peer Support Perspective

49. Perceived Impacts of Supervised Consumption Sites from the Perspectives of the Public, Healthcare Providers, First Responders, and People who use substances

50.Predictors of Cannabis Use Problems in a University Population: A Focus on Impulsivity and Childhood Trauma

51. Prevalence of concurrent psychiatric disorders in amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder: methodology of a systematic review and meta-analysis series

52. Primary Care Use after Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses Treated in Ontario Hospitals with and without Addiction Consult Services

53. Ready or Not? The Role of Self-Efficacy on Readiness to Change in Residential Treatment

54. Reassessing the Assessment: A Scoping Review of Substance Use Severity in Adolescents

55. Redefining Accessibility: Flexible Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment as a Rights-Based Approach

56. Redefining Accessibility: Flexible Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment as a Rights-Based Approach

57. Responding to syphilis with a nurse-led rapid “test and treatment” outreach model of care

58. Rethinking Suicide Prevention in OUD Care: The Role of Trauma, Belonging, and Person-Centered Strategies

59. Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorders: A Focus on Self-Regulation in a Diverse Outpatient Sample

60. Risk of Emergency Department Revisits Among Youth Compared to Adults in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

61. Supporting Frontline Organizations Within the Changing Harm Reduction Landscape in Canada

62. Suspected Xylazine induced skin ulcers in a person who injects drugs in Montreal, Canada

63. Systematic Review on the Use of Antidepressants in Youth with Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorders

64. Teaching Safer Injection Practices: A Collaborative Educational Approach

64. Evaluating Policy Change and Staff Perspectives on the Eat, Sleep, and Console Guidelines

This session presents findings from a multi-province survey exploring public attitudes toward supervised consumption services (SCS) and the moral foundations that shape support or opposition. Despite the proven effectiveness of harm reduction strategies, many Canadians remain resistant, and factual information alone often fails to shift opinions. Survey results from over 2,000 participants in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba revealed that values such as care, fairness, authority, and purity significantly influence attitudes, aligning closely with political leanings. Presenters will discuss how understanding these moral frameworks can inform more effective public messaging and policy advocacy. Attendees will gain strategies to engage communities in more productive, values-based conversations around harm reduction and SCS.

This session will explore the implementation and early outcomes of the RBC Pathway to Peers (P2P) program, an innovative initiative that integrates peer supporters with lived experience into the emergency department (ED) at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Developed in response to the sharp rise in ED visits by young adults for mental health and substance use concerns, the program provides emotional support, advocacy, and system navigation for patients aged 16–29. Presenters will discuss the challenges and successes of embedding peer support into ED workflows and highlight the program’s impact on both patient care and staff experiences. The session will offer practical strategies and a roadmap for other institutions interested in launching similar peer-based models. Attendees will gain valuable insights into enhancing ED care for youth facing mental health and substance use challenges.

This session explores a powerful personal journey from misunderstanding addiction as a matter of self-control to embracing person-centered care shaped by decades of advocacy. Drawing from over 20 years of experience with heroin-assisted treatment trials, the talk highlights how providing medication alone isn’t enough to heal the deep harms caused by criminalization and systemic inequities. Attendees will gain insight into the complexities of addiction care, including the impact of historical trauma, colonization, and structural barriers. This presentation calls for compassionate, individualized approaches that honor the lived experiences and needs of people who use drugs.

This session will present findings from the Road to Recovery (R2R) Initiative in Vancouver, which integrates harm reduction into a recovery-oriented model of care for individuals seeking treatment for substance use. Drawing on data from a mixed-methods study, presenters will highlight participants’ overdose histories, care goals, and access to harm reduction services before and during their R2R admissions. Qualitative insights underscore the importance of harm reduction in supporting engagement, reducing stigma, and facilitating re-entry after relapse. The session will explore how integrating harm reduction into withdrawal management enhances continuity of care and aligns with participants’ diverse recovery goals. Attendees will gain practical takeaways for designing inclusive, person-centered treatment models.

This session explores current practices and challenges in managing alcohol use disorder (AUD) among patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) in Canada. Drawing on a national survey of healthcare providers across multiple specialties, it highlights inconsistent alcohol screening, low pharmacotherapy use, and barriers to behavioral therapy referrals. Key findings reveal provider knowledge gaps, resource limitations, and patient-related challenges affecting care delivery. The session will discuss opportunities for improving AUD management through enhanced education, integrated addiction services, and multidisciplinary collaboration to reduce liver-related morbidity and mortality.

This presentation examines the elevated risk of substance use among individuals with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, emphasizing the impact of impulsivity, executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation challenges. Drawing on lived experience and clinical insights, it highlights barriers faced in traditional treatment models and advocates for neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based care. The session explores ADHD- and autism-informed approaches that promote flexible, empowering support across the lifespan to better meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals.

An Indigenous physician reflects on integrating Western medicine with Indigenous teachings to provide holistic care for substance use and mental health. They present a “Wellness Wheel” framework—rooted in decades of practice and Indigenous wellness models—that emphasizes non-pharmaceutical approaches, addresses the impacts of colonialism and trauma, and fosters deeper therapeutic relationships. This model promotes autonomy and connection, helping community members and providers engage in healing through a balanced, culturally grounded lens.

This session focuses on the urgent need to decenter whiteness and confront biases within addiction treatment to create culturally attuned, antiracist clinical practices. It challenges traditional models that rely on clinical neutrality and individualism, emphasizing the importance of addressing power dynamics, systemic racism, and social justice. Through an intersectional lens, participants will explore how racism manifests at structural, institutional, and interpersonal levels, and why ongoing self-reflection and cultural humility are essential for equitable care. The presentation offers a framework for mental health providers to become agents of change by fostering critical dialogue and advancing justice and equity in addiction services.

This powerful session explores how fear, often hidden and unspoken, can hold leaders and organizations back. Scott Elliott, CEO of the Dr. Peter Centre and an HIV-positive former addict, shares his personal journey from stigma and shame to authentic leadership. He reveals how embracing and standing on his fears transformed them from a source of paralysis into a catalyst for strength and positive energy. Attendees will gain inspiration and practical insight on harnessing fear to fuel resilience and impactful leadership.

Motivational Interviewing (MI), developed by Miller and Rollnick, is a collaborative communication approach originally designed for alcohol use disorders but now applied broadly across medical and psychiatric care. MI enhances engagement, supports challenging patients, encourages treatment adherence, and aligns patient-provider goals. This workshop covers MI’s core spirit, principles, and foundational processes—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—with emphasis on brief clinical encounters. Through didactic teaching, experiential exercises, and group discussions, participants will gain practical tools and techniques to apply MI in their practice. Workshop materials, including slides and resources, will be provided, with exercises offered in both English and French.

This session will explore a nurse-led prescribing initiative at Calgary’s Drop-In Centre aimed at improving healthcare access for unhoused individuals. Leveraging recent regulatory changes in Alberta, registered nurses now independently prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests to address common health concerns such as skin infections and sexually transmitted infections. By expanding nursing roles, this model enhances timely care, client engagement, and continuity while freeing physicians to focus on complex cases. Attendees will learn how this trauma-informed, person-centered approach bridges healthcare gaps in shelter settings and offers a replicable framework for community organizations.

Patients with substance use disorders face high rates of harm post-discharge, highlighting the need for better treatment engagement and retention strategies. The Next Chapter is a newly developed, four-week post-discharge program that offers intensive, multidisciplinary support through a partnership between a psychiatric hospital and a community organization. This session will present the program's evaluation protocol and early results, which suggest strong engagement and positive feedback from participants with alcohol, opioid, and stimulant use disorders. Key lessons learned include the importance of shared values, clear communication, and the meaningful integration of peer support. This innovative model shows promise in bridging inpatient and community care to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.

This session will examine the impact of hospital-based addiction consult services (ACSs) on connecting people with opioid use disorder (OUD) to primary care after non-fatal opioid overdoses. Using data from Ontario, the study found that patients treated at hospitals with ACSs had higher rates of primary care visits within a year post-discharge, especially when services were comprehensive. However, this association weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees will explore how ACSs can improve outpatient care engagement and discuss implications for optimizing addiction services during ongoing public health crises.

This session will highlight the urgent need for improved care for people presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) with opioid- and alcohol-related concerns, given their high risk of poor outcomes and mortality. It will introduce the minimum care expectations developed by Ontario Health’s Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Addictions, designed to create an integrated, patient-centered ED care pathway. The presentation will emphasize the importance of supportive environments, peer support, harm reduction, psychosocial interventions, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy to enhance connections to ongoing community services. Attendees will learn how these guidelines aim to transform ED visits into critical opportunities for engagement and improved long-term outcomes.

This session will present META:PHI’s innovative initiative to enhance addiction care in Emergency Departments by training nurses in symptom-triggered alcohol withdrawal treatment and buprenorphine initiation. It will detail efforts to authorize registered nurses (RNs) in Ontario to independently prescribe buprenorphine, aiming to expand access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT), especially in rural and remote areas with limited physician availability. Attendees will learn about virtual training tools, regulatory progress, and how this model—based on BC’s successful program—can reduce treatment delays and improve patient outcomes. This initiative promises to increase on-site addiction treatment and engagement across diverse healthcare settings.

Speaker: Didier Jutras-Aswad

This interactive workshop will equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and implement acute care addiction medicine consult services in hospital settings. Drawing on decades of experience from Alberta-based teams, facilitators will guide attendees through key lessons learned, practical case examples, and a structured implementation workbook. Participants will collaborate in small groups to explore service delivery models, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation strategies. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a draft framework and concrete next steps to bring person-centered, evidence-based addiction care to their acute care environments.

This case-based workshop will explore the profound impact legal issues have on the health and well-being of people who use substances. Facilitators will share insights from an academic medicolegal partnership and frontline clinical practice to highlight how criminalization, housing loss, discrimination, and other legal challenges intersect with substance use and health inequities. Participants will learn how to recognize legal needs as critical social determinants of health and implement practical, clinical interventions to support patients. Drawing on lived and professional experience, this session will offer tools, resources, and advocacy strategies to better serve clients facing health-harming legal barriers.

This session explores the powerful impact of language on stigma related to substance use and health. Participants will learn how everyday words can unintentionally marginalize and harm, and how person-first, non-stigmatizing language can foster dignity and inclusion. Drawing on evidence-based approaches, attendees will gain practical tools to shift their communication in personal and professional settings. This session is designed for anyone committed to reducing stigma and promoting respectful, compassionate care.

This presentation explores how British Columbia’s Road to Recovery (R2R) initiative is transforming withdrawal management in response to the increasingly toxic and unpredictable unregulated drug supply. Drawing on early implementation findings from over 500 patients, it highlights key innovations—such as hospital-based withdrawal care, the use of adjunctive therapies for polysubstance withdrawal, and integrated referral pathways to long-term treatment. Presenters will also examine 30-day health outcomes to evaluate the model’s impact on medical stability, psychiatric care, and treatment retention. This session offers real-world insights into how withdrawal services can adapt to today’s complex clinical landscape and better support individuals in their recovery journeys.

This powerful talk offers a rare, dual-perspective lens on addiction—from both a medical professional and a person with lived experience. The speaker shares their personal journey of navigating substance use disorder during residency training, shedding light on the pervasive stigma that often follows disclosure. Through vulnerability and insight, the presentation challenges deeply ingrained narratives about addiction, calling for more compassionate, person-centered approaches in both healthcare and society. It invites audiences to rethink the labels we place on people who use substances and to consider how we can better support recovery with dignity, empathy, and respect.

This session explores the emerging role of generative AI in delivering personalized, therapeutic conversations for individuals struggling with addiction. Drawing from real-world experience in developing and testing chatbots, the speaker will highlight both the potential and the ethical challenges of integrating AI into mental health and addiction care. The talk will culminate in a live conversation with a digital assistant designed to support people ambivalent about quitting substance use, offering a glimpse into the future of digital counselling. Attendees will be invited to reflect on how technology could help bridge critical gaps in therapy access.

This panel explores the evolving landscape of substance use through the lens of Substance Use Health—a spectrum that recognizes a range of experiences from no use to substance use disorder. Presenters will highlight national data, including the $49.1 billion societal cost of substance use in 2020, and discuss the urgent need for coordinated, evidence-based strategies across prevention, treatment, and recovery. The session will address gaps in provider literacy, especially regarding cannabis use, and share new national guidance for pediatric substance use care. Integrated care for co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions will also be examined, offering a forward-looking perspective on how systems and providers can better support people across the spectrum.

This 60-minute experiential workshop equips professionals with practical skills to deliver trauma- and violence-informed care for individuals who use substances and/or experience homelessness. Participants will explore how traditional care models can unintentionally perpetuate harm, and will learn tools to create emotionally and culturally safer spaces. Using small group discussions and real-life scenarios, the session introduces strategies like the “window of tolerance” and emotionally supportive communication techniques. The workshop also emphasizes provider well-being and reflective practice, helping attendees build resilience while supporting those affected by trauma, discrimination, and systemic violence. Designed for those in healthcare, outreach, and community roles, no prior experience with trauma-informed care is required.

This presentation explores the integration of peer support within the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) model at Women’s College Hospital. The Peer Support Program aims to boost patient engagement and overcome barriers in substance use care. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the evaluation involves peers, service users, clinicians, and medical learners to assess the program’s impact. Preliminary findings highlight the valuable role of peer supporters in enhancing care delivery. Their involvement in program development ensures that the voices and needs of people with lived experience remain central.

This presentation reviews five years of research on the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a remote supervised consumption program designed to reduce overdose deaths. By connecting service users with staff via telecommunications, NORS activates emergency responses when needed, offering critical support to those without access to traditional supervised consumption sites. Data from over 10,000 calls show zero fatalities and highlight the service’s cost-effectiveness and broad acceptability across diverse populations. While challenges remain in implementation and uptake, NORS shows promise as a valuable harm reduction tool that complements existing overdose prevention efforts and addresses barriers to care.

This study examines the current landscape of Addiction Medicine fellowship programs in Canada through insights from Program Directors. Despite growing interest, available training spots fall short of demand, with funding challenges identified as the main barrier to program expansion and sustainability. Directors emphasized the need for stable funding, flexible training pathways, and the creation of a national community of practice to strengthen addiction medicine education. Addressing these issues is crucial to meet the increasing workforce needs in this field. Future research should explore trainee experiences, the impact of graduates, and funding cost-effectiveness.

This review examines recent evidence on how policies regulating the availability of off-premises alcohol affect consumption and related harms. Findings suggest that allowing alcohol sales in gas station convenience stores may increase consumption and harms, while expanding sales to grocery stores does not show the same effect. Restricting malt liquor and privatization showed limited impact on crime or health outcomes, though privatization often led to price increases. Changes in allowable alcohol content had mixed effects, with reductions linked to fewer emergency visits. The study highlights the importance of tailored policy approaches and calls for more rigorous research to guide effective alcohol control strategies.

People who inject drugs (PWID) face heightened risks for infectious complications, yet many healthcare providers lack the training to address these risks through effective harm reduction counseling. This interactive session—co-led by an infectious diseases/addiction medicine physician and a peer educator with lived experience—provides practical tools and real-world strategies for engaging in respectful, nonjudgmental conversations about safer injection practices. Participants will explore safer injection techniques, review sterile equipment, and engage in role-play exercises to build confidence and communication skills. By modeling patient-centered dialogue and shared decision-making, this seminar aims to reduce stigma and improve health outcomes for PWID.

This emulated trial compared slow-release oral morphine (SROM) and methadone for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in British Columbia between 2018 and 2024. Using health data from over 3,200 adults with OUD, the research found that patients on SROM had higher rates of treatment discontinuation and lower medication adherence over 12 months compared to those on methadone. However, there was no significant difference in mortality risk between the two treatments. These findings suggest that while SROM may be less effective in maintaining treatment engagement, it does not increase the risk of death relative to methadone in this population.

This study examines the relationship between cannabis use and risk factors for fatal overdose among structurally marginalized people who use unregulated drugs in Vancouver. Analyzing data from nearly 4,000 participants over 18 years, the research found that daily cannabis use was linked to lower odds of non-fatal overdose, daily unregulated opioid use, and fentanyl exposure. These findings suggest that cannabis may play a harm reduction role by helping some individuals reduce or substitute opioid use. The results support further experimental research into the potential benefits of controlled cannabinoid use to prevent fatal opioid overdoses.

This session explores the emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes and obesity, in the treatment of addictive disorders. It will cover the pharmacology of GLP-1 agonists and their potential connections to addiction biology. Early preliminary data supporting their effectiveness across various substance use disorders will be reviewed. The discussion will also compare GLP-1 agonists with existing and novel addiction treatments and highlight future research directions in this promising area.

This presentation will use two case studies to: 1) explore why these patients are at increased risk; 2) provide a brief overview of traditional perioperative management approaches; 3) discuss the development, benefits, and limitations of ERAS protocols; and 4) highlight emerging treatments and the evolving landscape in patient care.

This interactive workshop addresses the high rates of youth vaping in Canada, where nearly a quarter of grade 10 to 12 students have vaped recently. It offers evidence-based, developmentally informed strategies for healthcare providers to support youth seeking to quit, including counseling, behavioral techniques, and pharmacotherapy. The session begins with an overview of current vaping trends, followed by small-group discussions of case studies featuring youth with co-occurring challenges such as cannabis use, mental health disorders, ADHD, and those from African Canadian and Indigenous communities.

In this rapid-fire session, we will spotlight the year’s most influential addiction medicine publications by Canadian researchers, distilling key findings and highlighting their clinical relevance.

This interactive session offers learners a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts from a variety of disciplines in the field of substance use health. Participants will have the chance to ask questions, seek advice, and gain insights into different career paths and clinical approaches. The informal format encourages open dialogue and mentorship in a supportive environment. It’s an excellent opportunity for learners to expand their network and deepen their understanding of the field.

This interactive workshop introduces a person-centred guidebook designed to support alcohol use reduction or cessation, alongside strategies for integrating brief counseling with practitioners or helpers. The approach enhances engagement, offers care pathway options, encourages early action, and helps address treatment wait times. Drawing on qualitative research across diverse populations and agencies, the session will share lessons learned and practitioner feedback. Participants will explore the PULSE framework—Prepare yourself, Unpack your experiences, Learn from your experiences, Select next step change goals, and Empower yourself—and practice key counseling skills to effectively use the guidebook. Throughout, opportunities for discussion on therapeutic strengths and implementation challenges will be offered, with adaptability for varied community needs.

This session will explore key psychological interventions for substance use disorders, including CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, with a focus on understanding the research methodologies behind the evidence. We will examine important factors such as participant selection, disorder severity, dropout rates, therapist qualifications, and follow-up duration. By unpacking these elements, the session aims to highlight the strengths and limitations of current studies and how they impact which patient groups benefit most from these therapies. Through clinical cases and interactive discussion, participants will be invited to reflect on their experiences using research to inform addiction treatment practices. This deeper methodological insight will support clinicians in advocating for more inclusive and applicable research.

Treating substance use disorders (SUD) in pregnant and breastfeeding individuals presents unique clinical challenges due to limited safety and efficacy data. This interactive workshop will explore how healthcare providers can offer evidence-informed, patient-centered care despite gaps in robust research. Using three clinical case studies, participants will examine strategies for interpreting and applying imperfect data. Topics include rapid opioid agonist therapy (OAT) titration, breastfeeding considerations with ongoing substance use or injectable OAT (iOAT), and managing alcohol use disorder (AUD) during pregnancy. Attendees will leave with practical tools to navigate complex treatment decisions while recognizing current evidence limitations.

Speaker: Frances Rosner & End of Conference Remarks