UCSF Addiction Conference 2026

Evidence-Based Updates in Addiction Medicine, Substance Use Disorders & Integrated Behavioral Health

The UCSF Addiction Conference 2026 is a comprehensive educational program designed to provide healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of substance use disorders (SUDs). Hosted by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), this conference brings together experts in addiction medicine, psychiatry, primary care, and behavioral health to address the evolving challenges of addiction treatment and recovery support.

Through clinical lectures, patient-centered discussions, and practical case-based learning, participants gain up-to-date knowledge on pharmacologic therapies, behavioral interventions, harm reduction strategies, and integrated care models for patients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Course Features

• 4 Video Lectures
• 4 Subtitle Files (VTT)
• 21 PDF Presentations
• Total Size: 7.29 GB
• Evidence-Based Addiction Medicine Education
• Harm Reduction Strategies
• Case-Based Clinical Discussions
• Behavioral Health Integration
• Online Conference Format

Program Overview

Substance use disorders remain a major public health challenge, requiring clinicians to understand evolving treatment options, communication strategies, and multidisciplinary care approaches.

The UCSF Addiction Conference 2026 focuses on practical clinical management of opioid, alcohol, stimulant, and benzodiazepine use disorders while addressing stigma, recovery support, pregnancy-related considerations, pain management, and hospital-based addiction care.

A special keynote presentation from an individual with lived experience of substance use disorder provides valuable insight into patient-centered care and recovery journeys.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize substance use disorders using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
• Apply evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for opioid, alcohol, and stimulant use disorders.
• Implement behavioral and harm reduction interventions in clinical practice.
• Improve communication and documentation when caring for patients with addiction.
• Address stigma and barriers to treatment engagement.
• Integrate addiction care into primary care, psychiatric, and hospital settings.
• Support patients with co-occurring mental health conditions.

Core Topics Covered

Foundations of Addiction Medicine

• Substance Use Disorder as a Brain Disease
• Neurobiology of Addiction
• Recovery-Oriented Care
• Patient-Centered Treatment Models

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

• Buprenorphine Initiation
• Methadone Treatment
• Harm Reduction Approaches
• Overdose Prevention
• Addressing Stigma in OUD Care

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• Screening and Diagnosis
• Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy
• Behavioral Treatment Strategies
• Relapse Prevention
• Long-Term Recovery Support

Stimulant Use Disorder

• Assessment and Diagnosis
• Current Treatment Approaches
• Behavioral Interventions
• Emerging Therapeutic Strategies

Benzodiazepine Use Disorder

• Dependence Recognition
• Withdrawal Management
• Tapering Protocols
• Clinical Risk Reduction

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

• Dual Diagnosis Management
• Integrated Behavioral Health Care
• Psychiatric Comorbidities
• Collaborative Treatment Models

Pregnancy and Substance Use Disorders

• Maternal Health Considerations
• Medication Management During Pregnancy
• Perinatal Addiction Care
• Neonatal Considerations

Pain Management and Addiction

• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Opioid Stewardship
• Alternative Pain Management Strategies
• Balancing Analgesia and Recovery

Hospital-Based Addiction Care

• Inpatient Addiction Management
• Hospital Consultation Services
• Transition of Care Planning
• Reducing Readmissions

Communication & Documentation

• Motivational Interviewing Principles
• Therapeutic Communication
• Documentation Best Practices
• Team-Based Care Coordination

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Psychiatrists
• Addiction Medicine Specialists
• Primary Care Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Behavioral Health Professionals
• Social Workers
• Hospitalists
• Mental Health Clinicians

Educational Highlights

✔ Evidence-Based Addiction Medicine Updates

✔ Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Strategies

✔ Alcohol and Stimulant Use Disorder Management

✔ Harm Reduction Education

✔ Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

✔ Pregnancy and Addiction Care

✔ Hospital-Based SUD Management

✔ Communication and Documentation Skills

✔ DSM-5 Diagnostic Applications

✔ Patient-Centered Recovery Approaches

Clinical & Educational Value

The UCSF Addiction Conference 2026 provides a practical and comprehensive review of modern addiction medicine. By integrating current research, pharmacologic advances, behavioral interventions, and patient-centered care strategies, the program equips clinicians with the tools needed to improve outcomes for individuals living with substance use disorders.

Topics

*Note: these are continuous video recordings during the conference, they include individual lectures mentioned in the Detail section below

• Apr 23_Day 1 AM
• Apr 23_Day 1 PM
• Apr 24_Day 2 AM
• Apr 24_Day 2 PM

  * Detail:

April 23, 2026
8:00 AM	Welcome from the Conference Chairs
8:05 AM	Keynote Address
8:45 AM	Stigma and Clinical Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders
9:15 AM	OUD Diagnosis and Methadone Induction
10:15 AM	Break
10:30 AM	Complex Buprenorphine Inductions
11:30	Transition into Small Groups
11:35 AM	Case 1: Group Discussion
12:15 PM	Lunch
1:15 PM	Rapid Review of Case 1: Clinical Pearls and Shared Decision Making in initiating MOUD
1:40 PM	Cannabis Use and Use Disorder for Adolescents and Adults
2:40 PM	Break
2:55 PM	Stimulants and Drug Involved Deaths
3:55 PM	Alcohol Use Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment
4:55 PM	Closing Remarks
April 24, 2026
8:00 AM	Welcome from the Conference Chairs
8:05 AM	Communication with Patients who use Substances
8:55 AM	Benzodiazpeine Use Disorder and Detoxification
9:45 AM	Potporri: Kratom, emerging NPS
10:15 AM	Break
10:30 AM	Hospital Based care for patients with SUD including Opioid Withdrawal Mangement
11:30	Transition into Small Groups
11:35 AM	Case 2: Group Discussion
12:15 PM	Lunch
1:15 PM	Rapid Review of Case 2
1:40 PM	Telehealth and Patient centered Documentation
2:40 PM	Break
2:55 PM	Controlled Substances and SUD
3:55 PM	Pregnancy and SUD
4:55 PM	Closing Remarks