Understanding Medications in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders - February 10, 2026
- Registration Closed
A 3-Hour Training with Joanne McKenna, APRN, MA, HNC
Virtual via Zoom | 12:30pm-3:45pm
Presentation: This presentation is designed for substance use disorder (SUD) counselors, providing an overview of the medications used to treat SUDs and manage co-occurring mental health conditions. Attendees will learn about different classes of medications, how they work, their effectiveness, and the clinical guidelines that inform their usage. The session will also highlight the importance of integrating pharmacotherapy into a holistic treatment approach, which includes behavioral therapies and psychosocial support.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Explain the purpose, mechanisms, benefits, and common misconceptions around the major classes of medications used in substance-use recovery;
- Identify pharmacological mechanisms, indications, and potential side effects of medications used to treat common co-occurring disorders; and
- Describe how to integrate pharmacotherapy into a comprehensive treatment model, emphasizing the importance of combining medication management.
3 Contact Hours Available
CRSW Performance Domains: 4
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 1, 13-14 & 16-18
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A)
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
This course has been approved by New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #23792, NHADACA is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Joanne McKenna
Joanne McKenna, APRN, MA, HNC is an experienced nurse practitioner with over thirty years of expertise in Addiction and Psychiatry. She holds a certification in Holistic Nursing and serves as an instructor for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Additionally, she practices Reiki and Reflexology and earned her Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Emmanuel College. For more than a decade, Joanne taught Psychopharmacology as part of the ACE certification program at Westfield State College.
Throughout her career, Mrs. McKenna has delivered Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and psychiatric care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Currently, she is employed at Families Matter of RI, where she passionately advocates for Community Health Workers to support vulnerable populations in Rhode Island. Joanne is also the author of "Letters to Priests" and "Stories of Faith on the Journey to God."
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