Addiction 101: What It Is and What It Isn’t

September 18, 2025

2 - 3 p.m. ET

ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE

In recognition of National Recovery Month, Dr. Malcolm Horn, LCSW, LAC, MAC, SAP, and President of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (NAADAC), will lead an engaging session on understanding addiction through the lens of the chronic disease model. The training will explore how substance use disorder (addition) impacts brain functioning, review the DSM-5-TR criteria, and reinforce the disease concept to build a clear and practical foundation. Participants will also learn strategies to support resident recovery, with a focus on enhancing overall well-being and improving quality of life.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how addiction impacts the brain; consequences of addiction and behaviors residents dealing with addiction might exhibit.
  2. Identify the DSM-5-TR criteria for addiction to support treatment referrals.
  3. Discover basic addiction screening tools.
  4. Learn that recovery is possible and identify practical strategies to support residents living with a substance use disorder.

Speaker: Dr. Malcolm Horn, Ph.D., LCSW, MAC, SAP

the center of excellence for behavioral health in nursing facilities (COE-NF)

Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the COE-NF offers Certified Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Staff a centralized resource hub with easy access to trainings, technical assistance and additional resources, at no cost.

What We Do

We help nursing facilities to improve the quality of life and care provided for residents who are experiencing a variety of behavioral health disorders, with a focus on Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD).

Who We Help

We provide direct technical assistance, evidence-based training, and resources that are appropriate for every member of your long-term care facility — from those providing day-to-day direct care, to clinical and administrative staff.