Optimizing Engagement and Retention of Nonabstinent Patients in Care

Friday, April 25, 2025

3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Presenter(s)

Brian Hurley, MD, MBA, FAPA, DFASAM

Medical Director for Substance Abuse Prevention and Control
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
UCLA Department of Family Medicine
Los Angeles, California
Eman Gibson, LCSW, LCADC

Chief Clinical Officer
Integrity, Inc.
Newark, New Jersey
Kelly S. Ramsey, MD, MPH, MA, FACP, DFASAM

Addiction Medicine Physician and Addiction Medicine/Harm Reduction Consultant
Kelly S. Ramsey Consulting, LLC
Olivebridge, New York

This workshop will provide an in-depth exploration of strategies to improve the engagement and retention of nonabstinent patients in substance use disorder treatment. Through practical case scenarios and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to implement key clinical recommendations that promote person-centered care, reduce administrative discharges, and address nonabstinence as a common part of recovery.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:

Apply proactive strategies to promote patient engagement and retention of nonabstinent patients.
Understand how nonabstinence can be managed clinically without judgment, as part of the chronic disease model of addiction.
Recognize the role of harm reduction in fostering a more welcoming, nonjudgemental treatment environment.

Disclosure(s):

Brian Hurley, MD, MBA, FAPA, DFASAM: No financial relationships to disclose

Eman Gibson, LCSW, LCADC: No financial relationships to disclose

Kelly S. Ramsey, MD, MPH, MA, FACP, DFASAM: No financial relationships to disclose