Skip to content

Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies (IADS)

Join us Live or Virtually for the 43rd annual Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies (IADS).

May 20 and 21, 2026

8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CT)

Virtual Option Available

See what is new in 2026

The annual Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies (IADS) is back for its 43rd year with two dynamic days of speakers plus a new offering of an on-demand virtual series that will be available to view for the next year. (Click above for more details.)

Live conference topics include Motivational Interviewing, America's Drug Habit, Cannabis Induced Psychosis, US Substance Use Trends, Kratom, and Underage Drinking Concerns. This interprofessional conference provides practical tools and ground-breaking information related to successful intervention, rehabilitation, and treatment. Don't miss your chance to hear from the nation's leading experts on these topics!

Who should attend?

Counselors, social workers, case managers, therapists, educators, nurses, personnel directors, correction personnel, and other healthcare professionals interested in problems of alcohol and drug use disorders and all addictions.

This conference is jointly provided by Southwest Indiana AHEC and the Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning.

Wednesday, May 20

Kevin Sabet, PhD

Dr. Sabet has studied, researched, written about, and implemented drug policy for over 30 years. He is currently the President and CEO of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) and SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana).

Gianna Yunker, CIP, CAI, CFRS, CRS

Founder of Interventions With Love, Gianna is a Certified Intervention Professional and Family Systems Specialist with over a decade of experience supporting families navigating addiction, complex mental health conditions, and high-conflict dynamics.

William R. Miller, PhD

Dr. Miller is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico where he served as Director of Clinical Training for the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology and co-founder of the Center on Alcohol, Substance use and Addictions (CASAA). His publications include 67 books and over 450 articles and chapters including the original 1983 description of the clinical method of motivational interviewing.

Thursday, May 21

Linda Cottler, PhD, MPH, FACE

Dr. Cottler is a Professor of Epidemiology at the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine and former Senior Associate Dean for Research at the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida. She has been continuously funded by NIDA since 1989 and has received numerous contracts and grants from multiple Institutes.

Christopher R. McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS

Dr. McCurdy is a broadly trained medicinal chemist, behavioral pharmacologist and pharmacist whose research focuses on the design, synthesis and development of drugs to treat pain and drug abuse. He is an internationally recognized expert on Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa).

Lisa Hutcheson, MEd

Lisa is the director of the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking. She is vice president of Prevention and Advocacy for Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI) and supervises the Indiana Collegiate Action Network (ICAN).

Lisa Seif, LCSW, LCAC, CSAMS

Lisa has been in the prevention, intervention, and treatment field for over 40 years. She is a private psychotherapist at Integrity Psychological & Counseling Associates and a consultant for the Vanderburgh County Treatment Courts and Deaconess Cross Pointe.

Contact Hours

6.75 hours for May 20
5.5 hours for May 21
Up to 7.0 hours for the on-demand substance use series

CE hours will be available for Nurses, Physicians, Pharmacists, Social Workers, and Health Facility Administrators. CE hours will also be available for Indiana licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Dental professions.

Agenda


Enrollment Cost:

In 2026, live registration is discounted with generous support from Southwest Indiana AHEC. 

  • $115 for professionals, per day (discounted rate for live attendance)
  • $85 for current graduate students, per day (discounted rate for live attendance)
  • On-demand series offered at a discounted rate by registering through the conference

After May 5:

  • $130 for professionals per day (discounted rate for live attendance)
  • $100 for current graduate students, per day (discounted rate for live attendance)
  • On-demand series offered at a discounted rate by registering through the conference

*Registrations accepted with credit card payment or employer invoicing. A one-time invoice fee of $25.00 will be added to the requesting organization's official invoice sent by the University of Southern Indiana.

Refund Policy

A $25.00 administrative fee will be charged for cancelled registrations, if the registration fee has been paid, prior to May 5, 2026. No refunds will be provided after that date.


Gene Nance Professional Conference Attendance Fee Fund

Financial assistance in the form of fully paid conference registrations will be awarded to first time attendees to the Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies, based on financial need of the applicant and amount of funds available from the Gene Nance Professional Conference Attendance Fee Fund. To be considered for the award, submit: (a) a letter of request that explains why you want to attend, how it would benefit you professionally, an overview of your need for financial assistance; and (b) a letter of reference from a professional colleague or supervisor. Send both documents, to Kelley Collazo at kacollazo@usi.edu by April 24, 2026.


Live Conference Location

University of Southern Indiana, University Center West
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712

Campus Map       Directions to University Center West

For more schedule information, call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu.

Accreditation Statements

This activity is planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive up to 12.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning (CHPLL). The CHPLL is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

State of Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider of continuing education for several professionals licensed in the state of Indiana, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, mental health counselors, and dental professionals.

The University of Southern Indiana has been approved by the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators as a sponsor of continuing education programs for health facility administrators. License number: 98000033A

Connect With
Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning

(812) 461-5217