Registration Now Open

• 2013 Theme: Awakening
• Featuring Hendrée Jones, Diane Malbin, and Karen Casey
• Held in Hendersonville, NC, near Asheville, NC and not far from Charlotte, NC, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC and Knoxville, TN
• Up to 23 credit hours
• Designed for substance abuse, mental health, psychology, criminal justice, human services, healthcare and other professionals interested in supporting women and families in recovery from co-occurring disorders
• One-four day options available

Over the last two decades, research has provided critical insight about what works to prevent, treat, and sustain recovery for women and families impacted by addiction. Unfortunately, NIDA estimates it takes seventeen years for an effective research-based treatment intervention to become commonly used in substance abuse treatment. Since women were not often included in research prior to the 1990’s, the importance of disseminating current and proven treatment recommendations is imperative to the health and wellness of women and girls today and for decades to come.

At the 2013 conference, the content of each session offering up to 23 credit hours will clearly support the recommendations set forth by SAMHSA/CSAT to address the specific needs of women and the NEWLY RELEASED SAMHSA publication Addressing the Needs of Women and Girls. With leaders such as Hendrée Jones, Diane Malbin, and Karen Casey championing the cause of gender and culturally responsive services, participants will:

This is an awesome conference. In light of the last few turbulent years, I am so grateful to have this conference to come to renew/ignite my passion.

1. Increase knowledge from a trauma-informed perspective about evidenced and strengths based treatment models
2. Identify the importance and role of socioeconomic issues and differences, relationships, and caregiver roles among women
3. Promote cultural competence specific to women that recognizes roles and gender expectations across cultures that affect societal attitudes toward women who abuse substances
4. Address women’s unique health concerns using a developmental perspective
5. Understand the importance of an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to women’s treatment that maintains a gender-responsive treatment environment across settings

Conference Location

Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the Kanuga Conference Center provides an idyllic setting for the 27th Annual ADDICTION: Focus on Women Conference. Situated on more than 300 acres of pristine wooded land, Kanuga is characterized by the serenity of a mountain lake, hiking trails, and space to relax and renew. Kanuga is a short 10-minute drive from Hendersonville, NC.

We appreciate the generosity of Laurel Burch (1945-2007) for permission granted to use her artwork for the AFOW Conference.

Tuesday 5/14	Wednesday 5/15	Thursday 5/16	Friday 5/17
	Hendree Jones Stephanie Covington Opening Lectureship 8:45-10:15am	Plenary Karen Casey 8:45-10:15am	Full Tracks #9-16 8:45-11:00am cont'd
Pre-Conference Session 9:45-5:00pm	Mini-Session #1 or #2 10:30-12:30pm	Mini-Session #3 10:30-12:30pm cont'd
	2-day Intensives #4-8 10:30-12:30pm	2-day Intensives #4-8 10:30-12:30pm cont'd
	Full Tracks #9-16 1:30-5:00pm	Full Tracks #9-16 1:30-5:00pm cont'd	Closing 11:15am-12:45pm Patty Grant
Opening & Welcome Reception 7:00-8:30pm		The Fedora Brothers 7:30-9:00pm

Session Information
(Place your mouse over a hyperlink without clicking for further information about a session or presenter.)

Fetal Alcohol/Neurobehavioral Conditions: Understanding and Application of a Brain-Based Approach
Diane Malbin, MSW

Enjoy dessert, conversation, music, the view and more!

Awakening Women's Spirit and Sustaining Recovery: The Role and Application of Effort Driven Rewards Hendree Jones, Ph.D.

This keynote presentation will explore the evidence-base and practical experience of using effort driven rewards to awaken women’s spirits and help women recover from addiction. Women in North Carolina and around the world respond well to nurturing and a focus on the positive work they are doing in treatment. This presentation will share novel ways of helping women find joy and purpose in efforts that produce tangible products.

1. Identify the active ingredients in effort driven rewards for promoting recovery from drug addiction
2. Compare and contrast the results of effort driven rewards with other forms of intervention for helping women improve their lives
3. Examine different examples of how effort driven rewards decrease depression, reduce anxiety and help women recover from drug addiction

1. Treating Opioid Dependent Women With Buprenorphine During Pregnancy: Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Considerations
   Hendree Jones, PhD
   
   
2. Effective Holistic Care: The Provision of Frontline Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care Settings
   Karen Maynard, MSW, LCSW, LCAS and Monica Williams-Harrison, MSW, LCSW and Colleen Tetsworth, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA
   
   
3. Keeping Up with Designer Drugs: A Pharmacologic Perspective
   Lisa Marzilli, PharmD, CDE
   
   

4. Viral Hepatitis and HIV: The Needle Connection
   Ed Johnson, MEd, MAC, LPC
   
   
5. Healing Trauma: Strategies for Abused Women
   Twyla Peterson Wilson, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
   
   
6. The Ethics of Responding to Clients and Crime
   Kim Strom Gottfried, PhD, MSW
   
   
7. HealthRhythms: Health and Wellness Group Empowerment Drumming
   Vernetta Eleazar, MA, CSAC and Michael Fagan, MS, LPC, LCAS, CSI
   
   
8. Building Addiction Counseling Competencies and Using Best Practices Through Clinical Supervision
   Suzanne Boehm, LCAS, LCSW, CCS
   
   

9. A Woman’s Way through the Twelve Steps: A New Approach
   Twyla Peterson Wilson, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
   
   
10. Leading from the Heart: Empowerment and Healing through Group Work
    Nancy Mercer, MSW, LCSW, LCAS
    
    
11. Emotional Sobriety: Sustaining Long Term Recovery
    Geri Miller, PhD, LP, LPC, LCAS
    
    
12. Art Therapy: A Silent Healer in Addictions Treatment
    Lynn McKnigh, LPC/S, MAC, CCS, ATR-BC
    
    
13. Exploring the Rainbow: Enhancing Cultural Competency in Work with the LGBT Community
    Avery Cook, MSW, LCSW
    
    
14. Reclaiming the Spirit: Yoga as a Pathway to Healing
    Ashley Lester, LCSW, LISW, RYT200 and Kristine Weber, MA, eRYT500
    
    
15. Writing with Intention: Workshop Writing with the Self and Others
    Annie Fahy, RN, LCSW, MSW
    
    
16. Trauma and Addictive Disease
    Jeff Georgi, MDiv, CCAS, CCS
    
    

Application of Effort Driven Rewards Karen Casey, PhD

Life revolves around our relationships; those at home, at work and with friends. Applying the principles suggested in this program will guarantee the attainment of peace within those relationships. Creating a peaceful encounter with any one person will positively impact every other encounter we experience on a daily basis.

1. Be able to embrace the concept of 'letting go.'
2. To understand the power of 'powerlessness.'
3. To recognize one’s specific lessons.
4. To embrace the power of 'acting' rather than 'reacting.'
5. To see 'the magic' in seeking another perspective when tensions are present.
6. To agree to commit to 'doing no harm.'
7. To embrace the quiet inner voice in all decisions.

The Fedora Bros., Grammy Award Winner Bruce Nemerov and Gene Bush, will be playing a benefit concert on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. The performance begins at 7:30 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door for general public. All proceeds from the concert and auction will benefit addiction treatment for women.

Come early to browse a selection of local art, handmade jewelry, and crafts available for bid in the Silent Auction. Auction items will remain up for grabs until just before the concert intermission when winning bids will be announced. Music by Bruce Nemerov and the Fedora Bros. will be available for purchase.

Historical Grief and Trauma: How Historical Events Continue to Impact the Cherokees Today Patty Grant, LCSW, CSAC
Historical grief and trauma is 'a cumulative and psychic wounding across generations related to massive root trauma.' — Maria YellowHorse BraveHeart. The 2012 Forgiveness Journey was an effort for the Cherokees to retrace the northern route of the Trail of Tears from Oklahoma back to our original homelands in Cherokee, NC. This presentation will address how historical events have affected the Cherokee people for generations and caused an almost near loss of Cherokee culture and identity primarily as the result of the forced removal, assimilation and acculturation process. Research indicates that these historical events alone have had catastrophic psychological/emotional effects on those who actually experienced them. Therefore, the trauma that has been passed down through the generations is related to the substance abuse, domestic violence, and various health and mental problems that continue to plague Cherokee families today. Ways to understand and reduce the destructive behaviors that spring forth from historical trauma — such as unresolved anger, physical, emotional, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol dependence, wounded spirits, complicated grief, inability to maintain healthy relationships and express feelings in an appropriate manner — by healing the immense trauma and forgiving the 'unforgivable' will be presented. The Journey to Forgiveness video about natives and non-natives recognizing the value of forgiveness and a personal commitment to forgive will be shown, and the discussion following will speak about how Cherokee came back into balance with their hearts letting go of the past to release the future.

1. Increase cultural awareness of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee tribes in Oklahoma
2. Understand the impact of generational trauma and how to heal

Want to become a sponsor or exhibitor?

Sponsored by MAHEC with the support of:

The conference includes up to 6.0 hours for the pre-conference and up to 17.0 hours for the main conference.

Application has been made for up to 23.0 hours of “Substance Abuse Specific” credit from the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board.

MAHEC is recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors and abides by the NBCC guidelines (Provider #5514).All sessions meet NBCC guidelines up to 23.0 hours.

MAHEC is an approved NAADAC provider #647. Full attendance is required to receive credit from NAADAC. 6.0 preconference and 17.0 conference hours

MAHEC is recognized by the North Carolina Psychology Board as an approved provider of Category A Continuing Education for North Carolina Licensed Psychologists. Full attendance is required to receive credit from the Psychology Board. 6.0 preconference and 17.0 conference hours

MAHEC designates this continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) as established by the National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit. 0.6 pre-conference and 1.7 continuing education credits will be offered. You must attend the entire preconference or conference to receive CEUs. CEUs are accepted by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Work.

Ethics, HIV and Clinical Supervision hours earned will be noted on certificates.

Certificates will be mailed within two weeks of the conference.

All participants who elect to stay overnight at Kanuga will be housed at the Kanuga Conference Center in the cottages, guest houses, or at the Lake Inn. Easy access to hiking, biking and the lake allows for recreation. Please bring comfortable shoes, layers and rain gear.

The Inn is a hotel with key entry doors. Rooms are not equipped with telephones or televisions. Wireless internet access is available in the Kanuga Lake Inn and pay phones and phone cards are available in the lobby. The cabins and guest houses have no locks on the exterior doors. Cottages and guest houses have mini kitchens with refrigerators. Please visit www.kanuga.org/about-kanuga/ and select Lodging Photos to view lodging options. Other lodging options in close proximity to Kanuga are available in Hendersonville, NC.

Take I-26 at US 64W and exit at 64W into Hendersonville. Continue for 2.3 miles. Turn left on South Business 25 (Church Street) and drive 9 blocks. Turn right on Kanuga Street and continue for 3.75 miles. Watch for the brown Kanuga Conference sign and turn right on Kanuga Lake Road. The main entrance is 1.5 miles from the sign on the right. Registration is in the Kanuga Lake Inn.

Hendersonville is served by the Asheville Regional Airport (10 miles) and Greenville Spartanburg International Airport (30 miles). Ground transportation from the Asheville Regional Airport to Kanuga can be arranged by calling The Airport Ground Transportation/Special Occasions (reserve in advance) at 888-288-9915 / 866-968-5466, email address: speciallimo@bellsouth.net; fax: 828-684-1001 or New Blue Bird Taxi at (828) 258-8331.

The Kanuga Bookstore will once again provide conference participants with a wonderful shopping experience!

Participants will need to make their own arrangements for child care. Please contact the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce at (828) 692-1413 for possible resources. Sessions are not appropriate for children.

This conference is held in facilities which are in compliance with ADA. Call (828) 257-4481 in advance of the conference for more information and assistance.

Mental health professionals including substance abuse counselors, social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, school counselors and other health care professionals.

Most cell phones have reception at Kanuga. However, phone service varies by carrier so participants are encouraged to check the coverage area prior to the conference.

Beginning January 1, 2013, full payment must accompany all registrations. Registrations received without accompanying payment will not be processed. Participants must pre-register with MAHEC prior to the conference. To complete the registration process, check in with MAHEC once onsite during scheduled registration hours.

If you need assistance, please call MAHEC Registration at (828) 257-4475. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays.

Refund requests minus a 10% administrative fee will be honored if received in writing in our office by May 1, 2013. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after May 1st. Substitutes are welcome but please notify us in advance of the program. All cancellations must be made in writing (fax, mail, or email).

ALL FEES ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. Multiple registrations from agencies will be accepted but must be made online.

Group Discount! Registrations received from 5 or more people from the same agency save 10%! Student rates require valid full-time student I.D.

The comprehensive tuition for participants includes all food beginning with lunch on Tuesday through breakfast on Friday, lodging and conference events on Tuesday through closing on Friday. Also covered are educational materials and use of recreational facilities. Lunch on Friday is not included.

The main conference only tuition includes all food beginning with breakfast on Wednesday through breakfast on Friday, lodging and conference events Wednesday through closing on Friday. Also covered are educational materials, refreshments and use of recreational facilities. Lunch on Friday is not included.

The commuter comprehensive tuition includes the Pre-Conference session on Tuesday through closing on Friday. Lunch Tuesday-Thursday is included, however, breakfast and dinner are not. Also covered are educational materials, refreshments and use of recreational facilities.

The main conference only tuition includes the keynote session on Wednesday, lunch on Wednesday and Thursday, and sessions through closing on Friday. Also covered are educational materials and use of recreational facilities. Breakfasts, dinners, and lunch on Friday are not included.

Preconference registration includes lunch on Tuesday, the preconference session, educational materials and use of the facilities.

Monday night lodging includes Monday dinner through Tuesday breakfast. Check-in time for Monday night lodging is 4:00 pm.

Tuesday, May 14: 8:30am – 8:00pm and Wednesday, May 15: 7:30am – 8:30am.

The number and availability of scholarships vary each year. Please go to AFOW Conference Scholarship Application to submit your request.

Registration Information

Registration is closed.