The inaugural 2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science aims to bring together researchers at all stages of training and experience to stimulate exchange of ideas and allow for the presentation of cutting-edge research across the spectrum of alcohol and other drug use disorders and affected populations. This is the first national conference specifically dedicated to substance use disorder recovery science.

The Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to increase our understanding of recovery support services, particularly for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are using or have used OUD treatment medications, through research networking, training students and early career scientists, and building community partnerships.

Conference Mission and Purpose

The second annual 2025 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science aims to bring together researchers at all stages of training and experience to stimulate exchange of ideas and allow for the presentation of cutting-edge research across the spectrum of alcohol and other drug use disorders and affected populations. This is the first national conference specifically dedicated to substance use disorder recovery science.

The Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to increase our understanding of recovery support services, particularly for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are using or have used OUD treatment medications, through research networking, training students and early career scientists, and building community partnerships.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

The National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science will be taking place virtually on:

April 23rd and 24th, 2025

Early bird and student discounts are available!

The broad 2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science theme is

Partnering to improve
addiction recovery science

Call for Proposals: General Information

The second annual 2025 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science aims to bring together researchers at all stages of training and experience to stimulate exchange of ideas and allow for the presentation of cutting-edge research across the spectrum of alcohol and other drug use disorders and affected populations. This is the first national conference specifically dedicated to substance use disorder recovery science.

The Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to increase our understanding of recovery support services, particularly for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are using or have used OUD treatment medications, through research networking, training students and early career scientists, and building community partnerships.

 

Historical information: The broad 2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science theme was Building a Foundation of Recovery Science.

The 2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science includes several thematic areas within this broader theme. These include:

     • Youth, Young Adults, and Family

     • DEI/Health Disparities

     • Defining and Measuring Recovery

     • Recovery Capital

     • Recovery Milestones

     • Recovery Pathways/Phenotypes

     • Recovery Services Workforce Development

     • Harm Reduction and Recovery

     • Recovery Support Services (e.g., Housing, Community Centers, etc.)

     • Other topics focused on recovery are welcome

We are now accepting submissions for the 2025 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science!

See below for details and click here to submit!

Deadline to submit has been extended until January 6, 2025

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: GENERAL INFORMATION

Word limit for poster submissions is 300 words, and word limit for symposia and roundtables is 700 words. All submissions will be peer-reviewed, and participants will be notified of accept/reject decisions by late January, 2025. Time and space considerations as well as program priorities will factor into acceptance decisions and assignment to oral or poster sessions. As first author, presenters are limited to only one poster presentation and one symposium or roundtable. However, presenters can be co-author on multiple submissions.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: PURPOSE AND HISTORY

The 2025 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science (NCARS) will bring together researchers at all stages of training and experience to stimulate exchange of ideas and allow for the presentation of cutting-edge research across the spectrum of alcohol and other drug use disorders and affected populations. This is the only national conference specifically dedicated to substance use disorder recovery science.

 

 

The inaugural 2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science (NCARS) brought together 314 delegates from across 3 countries and 38 U.S. states. The event featured powerful keynote presentations by Nora Volkow, George Koob, and William White, in addition to a distinguished panel with Tom Coderre, Tisha Wiley, Laura Kwako, Paolo del Vecchio, and Peter Gaumond. The program included 42 breakout sessions, comprised of 11 symposia, 7 roundtables, and 24 poster presentations, addressing 9 key areas in recovery science. These topics ranged from DEI/health disparities to recovery capital and recovery support services, highlighting the mission of building a foundation of recovery science.

 

 

The Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS), which hosts and organizes NCARS, is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to increase our understanding of recovery support services, particularly for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are using or have used OUD treatment medications, through research networking, training students and early career scientists, and building community partnerships.

2025 National conference on
addiction recovery science

Your presentaiton should fall into at least one part of one of the following categories

     • Youth, Young Adults, and Family

     • DEI/Health Disparities

     • Defining and Measuring Recovery

     • Recovery Capital

     • Recovery Pathways/Phenotypes/Milestones

     • Recovery Services Workforce Development (e.g., peer recovery support specialists)

     • Harm Reduction and Recovery

     • Recovery Support Services (e.g., Housing, Community Centers, etc.)

     • Other topics focused on recovery are welcome

Session types:

Symposium Presentation (1 hour): These are formal, thematic presentations. These proposals should include three to four symposium presenters, one of whom will be the introductant/discussant. Each presenter will have 15 minutes, with roughly 15 minutes at the end for discussion. The discussion is intended to be interactive with audience participation strongly encouraged.

 

Poster Presentation (1 hour): These presentations provide an opportunity for groups or individuals to display their program descriptions and research findings in a poster format. A virtual poster board area will be available for each poster. Each poster presentation will consist of a 3-minute pre-recorded voice over as well as a virtual area for Q & A.

 

Roundtable (1-hour session): These should include up to five participants, including a moderator, who will have an opportunity to engage in an interactive discussion about a specific topic. Proposals should describe how they will address the components of roundtables: (1) brief overview of the topic to be discussed, (2) nature and orchestration of the interactive discussion.

 

Please note: A presenter may be first author on only one session, either a symposium or a roundtable. However, in addition to being fist author for a session, individuals are welcome to participate in multiple presentations and may also submit a poster. Please be mindful of the number of presentations you are involved in, as space constraints may make it challenging to schedule each one in a unique time slot.

Within each of the above three session types, submitters are encouraged to limit presentation submissions to one or more of these three categories:

Original Research/Research Methods: Sessions will include prospective and retrospective studies that are also likely to include specified research questions, hypothesis testing, and data collection and analysis.

 

Systematic Review Summary: Sessions will include scholarly discussions of a specific topic via a review of the current literature in a given area.

 

Challenges and Facilitators in Implementation Science: Sessions will describe lessons learned regarding community engagement and implementation issues such as fidelity to evidence-based treatment, recruitment/follow-up, and partner engagement. These are similar to our CoARS monthly seminars.

Definition of terms

Note: The conference adheres to the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors consensus statement which recommends against the use of terminology that can stigmatize people who use alcohol, drugs, other addictive substances or who have an addictive behavior (https://www.isaje.net/addiction-terminology.html). Please also see the Addictionary at www.recoveryanswers.org for guidance when developing abstracts and final presentations.

 

Recovery from alcohol use disorder (NIAAA definition): process through which an individual pursues both remission from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cessation from heavy drinking. An individual may be considered “recovered” if both remission from AUD and cessation from heavy drinking are achieved and maintained over time. For those experiencing alcohol-related functional impairment and other adverse consequences, recovery is often marked by the fulfillment of basic needs, enhancements in social support and spirituality, and improvements in physical and mental health, quality of life, and other dimensions of well-being. Continued improvement in these domains may, in turn, promote sustained recovery.

 

Recovery from substance use disorder (NIDA definition): Recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Even people with severe and chronic substance use disorders can, with help, overcome their illness and regain health and social function. This is called remission. Being in recovery is when those positive changes and values become part of a voluntarily adopted lifestyle. While many people in recovery believe that abstinence from all substance use is a cardinal feature of a recovery lifestyle, others report that handling negative feelings without using substances and living a contributive life are more important parts of their recovery.

 

Adolescents: People between the ages of 12–17 years

 

Co-existing disability: A substance use disorder and a disability

 

Co-occurring disorder: A substance use and mental health disorder

 

Evidence-based: Knowledge that is supported by research results that are statistically significant

 

Families: Parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, and caregivers of youth

 

Health Disparities: “Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.” —NIH Strategic Research Plan and Budget to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Health Disparities, Vol. 1, Fiscal Years 2002–2006

 

Transition Age Youth: People transitioning from adolescence into young adulthood between the ages of 16–28 years. The term emerging adult is also used.

2024 PROGRAM

NCARS took place over the span of two days. See below for a schedule.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
11:00 AM: General Session
12:00 PM: Lunch
12:30 PM: Breakout Session 1
1:30pm: Break
1:45 PM: Breakout Session 2
2:45 PM: Break
3:00 PM: Breakout Session 3
4:00 PM: Break
4:15 PM: All Poster Presentations
5:30 PM: Early Career Poster Awards
5:45 PM: Poster Office Hours
6:30 PM: End of Day
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
11:30 AM: Breakout Session 1
12:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Breakout Session 2
2:30 PM: Break
2:45 PM: Breakout Session 3
3:45PM: Break
4:00 PM: General Session
5:00 PM: End of Day

2024 FULL AGENDA

Click here to see a PDF version of our 2024 agenda, or keep scrolling to see more.

FULL WORKING AGENDA

FULL 2024 AGENDA

2024 National Conference on
Addiction Recovery Science

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th

GENERAL SESSION
STREAM 1
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 2
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 3
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 4
11:00 - 12:00OPENING REMARKS
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Nora Volkow, George Koob, Bill White
12:00 - 12:30LUNCH BREAK
12:30 - 1:30.SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
COARS: Building Infrastructure to Advance Research on Addiction Recovery
Aaron Hogue, Amy Maricle, Jennifer Potter, Jay Unick, Kristyn Zajac
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
The Impact of Peer Support pecialists in Inpatient, Emergency Department, and Outpatient Settings
Kaileigh Byrne, Irene Pencot-Valverdle, Michael Crouch, Alain Litwin
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Partnering with State Departments of Health: Qualitative Findings from Harm Reduction Consumers
Angela Hagaman, Bill Brooks, Marissa Kluk, Jody Teel
1:45 - 2:45.SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
The Measure of Our Work Insights Gained from the Peer Recovery Workforce
Siena Castedo de Martell, Angela Hagaman, Craig Henderson, Bettina Hoeppner, Felecia Pullen
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Youth with Chronic Illnesses & Substance Use: Clinical & Implementation Perspectives to Treatment
Faith Summersett Williams, Sharon Levy, Elissa R Weitzman
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Collegiate Recovery: Current State of the Research and Future Directions
Noel Vest, PhD, Chelsea Shore, PhD, Justin Bell, PhD Candidate
3:00 - 4:00.SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Advancing Community-Based Participatory Research on Recovery Support Services Emerging Topics
Emily Pasman, Ryan E. Finn, Kathryn R. Gallardo, Tesa K. Drazdowksi
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Lessons in Measurement: Practice Relevant Measurement of Recovery in Community Settings
Jay Unick, Gabby Knighton, Jennifer Brown, Yali Deng
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Peer work and Recovery: A Relationship Approach
Heather Howard, John Hulick, David Whitesock
4:15 - 5:30ALL POSTER PRESENTATIONS
5:30 - 5:45EARLY CAREER POSTER AWARDS
5:45 - 6:30POSTER OFFICE HOURS

2024 National Conference on
Addiction Recovery Science

THURSDAY, APRIL 25th

GENERAL SESSION
STREAM 1
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 2
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 3
BREAKOUT SESSION
STREAM 4
11:00 - 11:30OPENING REMARKS
11:30 - 12:30.ROUNDTABLE
MOUD Clinic Engagement: The Rewards and Challenges of Research Collaboration
Angela Hagaman, Aaron Hogue, John Venza, Robert Pack, Timothy Smyth
ROUNDTABLE
Building capacity for community-engaged peer recovery research through the IRIS Fellowship
Jon Gilgoff, Victoria Barreira, Erika Shook, Heather Raley, Domain Teat, Xavier Justice, Jennifer Carrano
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
New Findings Supporting the Critical Role of Recovery Housing
Amy Mericle, Meenakshi Subbaraman, Elizabeth Mahoney, Rachel Winograd
12:30 - 1:30LUNCH BREAK
1:30 - 2:30.ROUNDTABLE
Using recovery-specific measurement to advance addiction recovery
Elisabeth Okrant, PhD, MPH, Genie Bailey, MD, Alisa Busch, MD, MS, Sarah Scholle, DrPH, MPH
ROUNDTABLE
Racial Equity and its impact on sustainability of recovery in Communities of Color
Dr. Corrie Vilsaint, Julia Ojeda M.Ed, Michael Askew, Anita Bradley MSW, Carolina Ayala
ROUNDTABLE
Lessons from Start Ups and Preliminary Research with Traditional Health Workers in Recovery Services
Tess K. Drazdowski, Camille C. Cioffi, Angela Hagaman, Kristyn Zajac, Sierra Brantley
2:45 - 3:45.SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF US SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES
Emily A. Hennessy, David Eddie, Corrie L. Vilsaint, Brandon G. Bergman
ROUNDTABLE
Cultivating Lived Expertise in the Research Enterprise
Eden Buell, James Tompkins, Martha Tillson, Sierra Castedo de Martell, Patrick Hibbard
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
Understanding Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder Among a Black Community
Sharon Reif, Robert Dunigan, Adam Vose-O'Neal, Shanesha Christmas
4:00 - 5:00CLOSING REMARKS
KEYNOTE PANEL: Tom Coderre, Tisha Wiley, Laura Kwako, Paolo del Vecchio, Peter Gaumond

2024 National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science

Posters Sessions

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th

4:15PM – 5:30PM: PRE-RECORDED POSTER VIDEOS
5:30PM – 5:45PM: EARLY CAREER POSTER AWARDS
5:45PM – 6:30PM: LIVE POSTER “OFFICE HOURS”

Demonstrating integrated SDoH impact in Behavioral Health
Kenneth L. Roberts
Evaluating barriers to treatment for rural-specific patients with substance use disorder in the US
Mohit Chhatpar, DO
Matching Recruitment Strategies with the Needs of Patients with Chronic Pain and OUD Receiving Buprenorphine
Michael L. Bourgoise
Responding to Location-based Triggers of Cravings to Return to Substance Use: A Qualitative Study
Adam Viera
SKY Reduces Substance Abuse Cravings and Improves Well Being of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder
Sathya Dev Unudurthi
Social Networks of Individuals on MOUD
Alexander J. Sikora
Delay discounting predicts 3-month remission from alcohol use disorder in individuals in recovery
Warren K. Bickel
Proportion of remission: a novel measure of recovery from polysubstance use disorders
Fatima Quddos
Engagement in Unhealthy Behaviors in Substance Use Recovery: Is Delay Discounting Domain-Specific?
Daniel Cabral
The number of quit attempts varies as a function of the substance and previous quitting experience
Rafaela M. Fontes
"A Lot of Moving Parts": Challenges Linking and Housing Criminal Legal System-Involved Clients
Jodie M. Dewey
An Examination Into the Use of Recovery Community Centers by People on MOUD
Roxxanne Newman
Building Recovery Capital: A National Recovery Housing Stipend Program
Leah Davies, LMSW, Justin York, Julie McElrath, MSSW
Developing a National Research Agenda for Peer Recovery Support Services through Community-based Par
Ducel Jean-Berluche
Development of a State-Wide Data Collection System to Evaluate Impact of Recovery Houses in NYS
Kate K. Manchisi
Healing Measurement Center Study Protocol to Enhance OUD Recovery through Measurement Based Care
Renee M. Cloutier
Implementation of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Recovery Residences: Theoretical Framework
Cynthia A. Nichols
Peer-Participant Relationship Quality as a Function of Perceived Similarities
Martha Tillson
Bringing Diversity and Awareness to the Field of Collaborative Biostatistics in Addiction Research
Alexandra L. Hanlon
From Vision to Impact: Institutionalization of Peer Recovery Coaches in the Continuum of Care
Elizabeth J. Oyer
State Policy Facilitators and Barriers to Maximize the Potential of Behavioral Health Peer Support Workforce: A Mixed Methods Study
Elizabeth Arend Dutta
Demographic characteristics of adults and emerging adults in recovery and addiction
Lourah Kelly
Novel Options for Family Engagement and Retention: Young Adult and CSO Perspectives on OUD Treatment
Sean Dunnsue
Systematic Review of Long-term Effects of Opioid Prescriptions in Adolescents and Transitional Youth
Tara G. Chowdhury

Speaker Information

If you are presenting at NCARS, link with more detailed information about presentation requirements can be found here.

2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Wednesday, April 24th 11:00am – 12:00pm EST

Emeritus Senior Research Consultant at Chestnut Health Systems
Director, NIDA
Director, NIAAA

Thursday, April 25th 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, SAMHSA
Chief of Services Research Branch, Associate Director for Criminal Justice, NIDA
Chief of the Treatment, Health Services, & Recovery Branch, NIAAA
Director, Office of Recovery, SAMHSA

Three types of sessions may be submitted:

     • Symposium Presentation (1 hour): These are formal, thematic presentations. These proposals should include three to four symposium presenters, one of whom will be an introductant and discussant. Each presenter will have 15 minutes, with roughly 15 minutes at the end for discussion. The discussion is intended to be interactive with audience participation strongly encouraged.

     • Poster Presentation (1 hour): These presentations provide an opportunity for groups or individuals to display their program descriptions and research findings in a poster format. A virtual poster board area will be available for each poster. Each poster presentation will consist of a 3-minute pre-recorded voice over as well as a virtual area for Q & A.

     • Roundtable (1-hour session): These should include up to five participants, including a moderator, who will have an opportunity to engage in an interactive discussion about a specific topic. Proposals should describe how they will address the components of roundtables: (1) brief overview of the topic to be discussed, (2) nature and orchestration of the interactive discussion.

 

There are three categories of presentations:

     • Original Research/Research Methods: Sessions will include prospective and retrospective studies that are also likely to include specified research questions, hypothesis testing, and data collection and analysis.

     • Systematic Review Summary: Sessions will include scholarly discussions of a specific topic via a review of the current literature in a given area.

     • Challenges and Facilitators in Implementation Science: Sessions will describe lessons learned regarding community engagement and implementation issues such as fidelity to evidence-based treatment, recruitment/follow-up, and partner engagement.

Definition of Terms

     • Note: The conference adheres to the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors consensus statement which recommends against the use of terminology that can stigmatize people who use alcohol, drugs, other addictive substances or who have an addictive behavior (https://www.isaje.net/addiction-terminology.html). Please also see the Addictionary at rristage.wpengine.com for guidance when developing abstracts and final presentations.

     • Adolescents: People between the ages of 12–17 years 

     • Co-Existing Disability: A substance use disorder and a disability

     • Co-Occurring Disorder: A substance use and mental health disorder

     • Evidence-Based: Knowledge that is supported by research results that are statistically significant 

     • Families: Parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers of youth

     • Health Disparities: “Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.” —NIH Strategic Research Plan and Budget to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Health Disparities, Vol. 1, Fiscal Years 2002–2006 

     • Transition Age Youth: People transitioning from adolescence into young adulthood between the ages of 18–27 years

Organized and hosted by the Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS)