Methamphetamine and Its Impact on Brain and Behavior: Best Practices for Delivering Effective Treatment (Las Vegas)

Funding for this training was made possible, in part, by the Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center, HHS Region 9, cooperative agreement 1H79 TI080211-02 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. To learn more about the Pacific Southwest ATTC visit their website at  http://www.psattc.org/.

The purpose of this daylong training is to provide participants with information about methamphetamine and its impact on the user’s brain, body, and behavior. The mental health and physical health consequences of methamphetamine use will be presented, including the cognitive impact of methamphetamine use. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on how to implement effective behavioral treatment interventions with people who use methamphetamine, and the necessary adaptations needed to engage and retain people in care. Specific topics will include: (1) the scope of methamphetamine use from a local, regional, and national perspective; (2) methamphetamine and the brain and its impact on cognition; (3) methamphetamine and psychosis/psychiatric co-morbidity; (4) short- and long-term health consequences; (5) the methamphetamine-HIV link; (6) effective, evidence-based behavioral treatments for people with a stimulant use disorder; and (7) methamphetamine treatment outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the patterns and trends of methamphetamine use, both locally and nationally.
2. List at least three short-term and three long-term effects of methamphetamine use.
3. Describe the cognitive impact of methamphetamine use.
4. Summarize at least two specific behavioral interventions that have been proven effective in treating people with a stimulant use disorder.

Presented By: Beth A. Rutkowski, MPH Director of Training & Epidemiologist, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 6