It all begins with an idea.

Our Annual Meeting was held on August 20, 2025. Highlights included review of the new website, call for presentations for a CME event to be held in January, signups for committees for our Utah chapter, and a discussion on stigma of treating patients with addiction medicine. Please see the attached slides for a review of what was discussed.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) play a critical role in diagnosing and treating patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). As frontline providers in mental health and addiction treatment, it is vital for PMHNPs to stay informed, connected, and equipped with the most current, evidence-based practices. Becoming active members of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers an essential opportunity to do just that.

ASAM is the nation’s leading professional society dedicated to increasing access to and improving the quality of addiction treatment. It provides resources that directly enhance clinical practice, including access to updated clinical guidelines, continuing education opportunities, policy updates, and cutting-edge research. Membership allows PMHNPs to stay aligned with best practices in addiction medicine and to meet the complex needs of individuals in recovery with confidence and skill.

By joining ASAM, psychiatric nurse practitioners also gain a professional network of multidisciplinary providers, offering support, collaboration, and advocacy opportunities. This engagement strengthens the collective voice of clinicians working to advance evidence-based addiction care across healthcare systems and communities.

Active participation in ASAM ensures that PMHNPs are not only current in their knowledge but are also contributing to shaping the future of addiction treatment. This is especially important as addiction medicine continues to evolve in response to new substances, emerging treatment models, and shifts in healthcare policy.

Ultimately, ASAM membership empowers psychiatric nurse practitioners to provide higher quality care, advocate for patients, and remain leaders in recovery-focused treatment. In the face of a growing addiction crisis, PMHNPs have a responsibility—and a unique opportunity—to rise to the forefront of recovery care through active involvement in ASAM. Join today and be part of the movement advancing hope, healing, and health for individuals living with addiction.