Training day will feature workshops on co-occurring disorders and buprenorphine treatment

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

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NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, will host a regional training day for addiction-focused health care professionals, June 19, at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Ind.

The training day will feature workshops on co-occurring disorders and buprenorphine treatment. The event coincides with the annual conference of NAADAC's Indiana affiliate, the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA), June 17-21, at the same location.

NAADAC is the largest professional membership organization for alcohol and drug abuse counselors and other addiction specialists. Dedicated to enhancing the professional growth and development of individuals who treat and prevent addiction, NAADAC has 13,000 members, including more than 600 in Indiana.

"We are proud to bring this national-level training to NAADAC's Mid-Central Region," NAADAC President Roger A. Curtiss said. "Given the financial and logistical difficulties of attending national conferences for many people, this is a great way to keep addiction counselors up to date on the latest addiction treatment research."

NAADAC's Mid-Central Region includes Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. NAADAC hosted a similar conference in New York for its Northeast Region in April.

Between seven and 10 million Americans suffer from co-occurring disorders, which are most often characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of a mental health and a substance use disorder. Patients with co-occurring disorders have historically received poor care due to the complexity of their illnesses.

The NAADAC training day, sponsored by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides health care professionals with tools to improve patient care.

Buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid dependence that can be prescribed by physicians in their own offices. Previously, addiction medication could only be dispensed by a specialized clinic or treatment facility. Addiction counselors provide behavioral support to patients receiving treatment, which increases both medication compliance and patient functioning.

The ICAADA conference will focus on a variety of topics, including club drugs, domestic violence, and counseling techniques.

Call 1-800-548-0497 or visit NAADAC on the Internet at for additional information about the conference.