Psychologists Discuss Opioid Epidemic

Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO -- As the national opioid epidemic continues to take its toll, the 126th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association will include a variety of sessions focused on how psychologists can help people with opioid dependence and addiction. Following is a list of relevant sessions.

Session 1218: “Hub and Spoke – California’s Targeted Response to the Opioid Epidemic,” Symposium, Thursday, Aug. 9, 12 p.m. PDT, Rooms 310 and 311 Level Three-South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco, Calif.

Session 2040: “Clinical Response to the Opioid Crisis – A Cross-Divisional Task Force,” Discussion, Friday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m. PDT, Room 156 Upper Mezzanine-South Building, Moscone Center.

Session 2093: “Cannabis – An Alternative to Opioids for the Treatment of Chronic Pain in Our Military Veterans?” Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. PDT, Room 206 Level Two-South Building, Moscone Center.

Session: 3384: “Opioid Misuse and Management in the Military Health System – Trends, Clinical Outcomes and Strategies,” Symposium, Saturday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m. PDT, Room 312 Level Three-South Building, Moscone Center.

Session 4053: “Addressing the Opioid Epidemic – Integrated Approaches for Education, Assessment and Treatment,” Symposium, Sunday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m. PDT, Room 154 Upper Mezzanine-South Building, Moscone Center.

The convention program is online. Printed programs will also be available on site. Selected papers will be available electronically upon request. For more information on program topics, contact APA Public Affairs. 

Media details for Convention

Press Room: Meeting Room 1, Exhibition Level – South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco. Facilities will include work space, wireless connections for laptops/tablets, high-speed printer, telephones and APA staff resources. This room will also be the site of any news briefings if any are held during the convention. Signs to the press room will be posted onsite.

Hours (Pacific Daylight Time): Thursday, Aug. 9, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 8 a.m. to noon

Registration: Media can register for the convention in the press room, in advance online, by emailing APA Public Affairs or by calling 202-336-5700. Registration is limited to credentialed journalists and journalists who have assignment letters on the letterhead of a media organization. All media personnel must be registered and wear their convention badges while attending any convention session or activity.

Media can make hotel reservations at http://convention.apa.org/attend/hotels.

News Releases: Embargoed releases about specific convention sessions, presentations and papers will be sent to news media by email in late July (a week to 10 days before the convention starts) and will be available online.

Embargoes: All releases will be embargoed until the time of presentation unless otherwise noted.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.