Research to Recovery 2025

This talk will explore the essential role of peer support and allyship in fostering recovery within non-traditional recovery environments. Non-traditional spaces, such as harm reduction programs, community outreach centers, and grassroots recovery groups, are vital for individuals who may not fit into conventional treatment models. These spaces offer a flexible and compassionate approach to recovery, meeting people where they are and providing a supportive community without judgment.

The discussion will focus on the importance of peer recovery specialists—individuals with lived experience of addiction—who offer a unique perspective and support system that resonates with those currently in recovery. Peer support is instrumental in creating safe, inclusive environments where individuals can feel understood and empowered to take steps toward healing. Additionally, we will address the role of allies, including professionals, family members, and community advocates, who can stand alongside those in recovery to challenge stigma, offer resources, and foster a culture of empathy.

Attendees will gain insights into how peer support and allyship in these non-traditional spaces can bridge gaps in care, build stronger recovery networks, and create more inclusive pathways to recovery. The talk will also highlight strategies for building allyship that respects individual journeys, embraces harm reduction, and promotes long-term recovery.

Discussing the sharing of evidence-based services of Harm Reduction gender responsive services of resource poor setting like Burma, exchange the experiences of program implementation across US and Burma, and sharing how to turn White Supremacy practices of services to context-based practices.

Join us for a session focused on the transformative use of Sand Tray Therapy in addictions counseling. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals seeking to integrate creative therapeutic techniques into their practice to enhance client engagement, promote self-exploration, and facilitate healing in the context of addiction recovery specifically with adolescents and young adults.

This presentation will cover the following learning objectives: Understand the service delivery of peer support services.

The impact of participation of people with lived experience of drug use and affected family members in an advanced international graduate program in addiction science.

People with lived experience (PWLE) of drug use and affected family members (AFMs) have increasingly been recognized as essential stakeholders/contributors in efforts to reduce drug harms. While this trend has promise to reduce stigma and save lives, evidence- and experience-informed perspectives have often been seen as at odds with each other.  Researchers and academics often hold a privileged role in important decision-making processes related to drug treatment and policy.

Graduate programs in addiction increase knowledge of evidence-informed theories of addiction and interventions designed to ameliorate its harms. Inclusion of PWLE and AFM in such programs may yield benefits, both to the programs as well as to students with and without lived experience, who seek to impact policy and research.

This symposium will present perspectives of students, alumni, and faculty from the International Programme in Addiction Studies (IPAS) related to the benefits of participation of PWLE in a graduate program in addiction science. IPAS is jointly offered by VCU, King’s College London, and the University of Adelaide that has attracted a broad spectrum of international and US students. Two areas of focus will be the impact of education on the ability of PWLE and AFMs to engage in advocacy and curriculum development work as well as the understanding of their own drug-related experiences. Differences in the experience of addiction and recovery internationally will also be addressed.

In this presentation, Liliana (Lily) Spurgeon, Program Coordinator for the UNM Collegiate Recovery Center, will explore how the Center uses a community-centered, culturally responsive approach to support BIPOC, Latine, and recovery communities in higher education. Drawing from Tara J. Yosso’s framework of Community Cultural Wealth, the UNM CRC emphasizes students' strengths, resilience, and cultural assets. The session will also address the impact of historical trauma, particularly in New Mexico, and how it informs addiction recovery pathways. Through peer-led support, the CRC empowers students to succeed both in recovery and academics, providing a model for long-term success for marginalized student populations.

Graduate Student Presentation Contest: A select number of graduate students will be chosen to give a brief presentation (10-15 min) of their research. These students will be eligible for an additional prize based on their ability to make their research accessible for a general audience.

We are excited to introduce small roundtable discussions to the 2025 conference! These informal, guided conversations provide a space for practitioners to connect, share insights, and explore specific topics in a collaborative setting.