5th Edition of Addiction World Conference 2026

Abstract

The persistent divide between overdose prevention and traditional addiction treatment approaches remains a significant barrier to providing comprehensive care for individuals with substance use disorders. This presentation aims to bridge this divide by discussing innovative models and examples that effectively engage hard-to-reach populations. The session will emphasize both practical interventions and the cultural shifts needed within treatment teams to foster an emotionally safe environment for clients and staff, ensuring inclusive and effective care.

In addition, this session will provide scientifically-based information and generally accepted professional principles, offering insights into innovative overdose prevention and addiction treatment models. By actively promoting the improvement of care and increasing learners’ competence, performance, and patient outcomes, this presentation aims to enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, effective, and compassionate addiction treatment.

The knowledge and strategies shared in this session will directly contribute to the improvement of patient care by:

• Reducing overdose deaths and other immediate harms associated with substance use.

• Providing a bridge to comprehensive health and social services.

• Ensuring a continuum of care that accommodates diverse recovery paths.

• Creating emotionally safe and supportive environments for both clients and staff, thus enhancing the overall quality and effectiveness of addiction treatment services.

Participants will leave the session equipped with practical tools and actionable insights to implement these integrated approaches effectively within their own practice settings.

This workshop is applicable to all stakeholders addressing the opioid crisis as it is aimed at advancing the conversation on integrating overdose prevention and traditional addiction treatment. It underscores the need for innovative models and cultural shifts to create a holistic and inclusive approach to substance use disorder treatment while addressing the critical aspects of trauma, human rights, and social justice. By adopting innovative models and overdose prevention centers, and fostering a culture of emotional safety and inclusivity, we can create a treatment landscape that meets the diverse needs of individuals and supports their journey to recovery.

Objectives

• Highlight innovative overdose prevention models: Discuss managed alcohol programs (MAPs), Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and overdose prevention centers as effective strategies for engaging hard-to-reach populations.

• Promote integrated care approaches: Explore how overdose prevention and traditional addiction treatment can be synergized to offer a continuum of care that respects and supports various recovery paths.

• Foster cultural competency and emotional safety: Identify cultural changes needed within treatment teams to create emotionally safe environments that do not alienate abstinent clients while embracing overdose prevention principles.

• Address the role of trauma, rights, and social justice: Understand how addressing trauma, advocating for human rights, and incorporating social justice principles are integral to effective addiction treatment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Highlight innovative overdose prevention models: Discuss managed alcohol programs (MAPs), Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and overdose prevention centers as effective strategies for engaging hard-to-reach populations.

2. Promote integrated care approaches: Explore how overdose prevention and traditional addiction treatment can be synergized to offer a continuum of care that respects and supports various recovery paths.

3. Address the role of trauma, rights, and social justice: Understand how addressing trauma, advocating for human rights, and incorporating social justice principles are integral to effective addiction treatment.