Andrea J Yatsco, PhD, CADC, LCDC, is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Yatsco received her PhD in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State and wrote her dissertation on the impact of military service on delinquency and substance use over the life course. Her undergraduate work at University of Arizona focused on psychological and sociological predictors of deviant behavior. She has counseled incarcerated populations in Massachusetts and worked with families and adolescent offenders in Vermont. She is a previous adjunct professor at Becker College, teaching curriculum in the undergraduate forensic psychology concentration and developed grant funded substance education. Dr. Yatsco is an Assistant Professor at UT Health Houston working as the Associate Director for clinical research with opioid use disorders at Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System (HEROES) and related substance use and mental health expansion projects across Texas.
A medical model of addiction and treatment is crucial to understanding recovery. This presentation will provide a summary of how the brain is impacted by substance use that is rooted in science to reduce stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. A brief overview of the value of medications for treating substance use disorders medically will be offered, with a highlight on approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).