JOIN US MARCH 17-21, 2025

2025 CONFERENCE THEME

Lighting the Path to a Brighter Future: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

Registration is open!

 click here to register

 

Welcome to Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies.

Registration is now open for the 2025 conference: Register Today.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU MARCH 17-21, 2025.

WELCOME TO THE 2025 CONFERENCE

The Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (ASADS) invites you to its 49th Annual Conference, which will take place March 17–21, 2025, at the Bryant Conference Center on the University of Alabama campus. This year’s theme, “Lighting the Path to a Brighter Future,” promises a week of inspiring programming, meaningful networking, and thought-provoking discussions on emerging topics.

Hosted annually by a collaboration of state agencies, treatment and prevention programs, community partners, and healthcare providers, ASADS offers an enriching experience for all attendees. This year’s conference will feature daily plenary speakers, over 40 engaging courses, and the prestigious Carl Nowell Award presentation. On Friday, don’t miss a special keynote from renowned actress and trauma care trailblazer Mackenzie Phillips, who will share her expertise and personal insights on recovery and resilience.

Behind the scenes, the ASADS Board—comprised of up to 28 dedicated volunteers—spends a full year planning to deliver a top-notch experience. Conference expenses are supported through registration fees, exhibitor contributions, and corporate sponsorships. Your registration includes access to workshops, conference materials, logistical support, and breaks, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience.

We hope you will join us for this impactful event, which continues to shape the future of substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery support.

Sincerely,
ASADS Board of Directors

 

download 2025 exhibitor/sponsorship prospectus

conference agenda

2025 agenda at a glance      2025 speakers’ bios

REGISTER

Registration is open for the 49th Annual Conference on March 17-21, 2025. 

Attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors should use the button below for their respective registrations.

 click here to register

Carl Nowell leadership Award

The Carl Nowell Leadership Award is presented each year to honor a person who embodies the following characteristics:

  • A person who shows dedication and persistence through leadership in the field of prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse services on a local, state, and national level.
  • A person who displays steadfast commitment through relentless effort, competence, and planning to improve those services and programs.
  • A person who operates with a team mentality and recognizes that significant change is achieved only through the action of many individuals working together.
  • A person who shares a vision for exciting possibilities and possesses an absolute belief in his/her ability to make extraordinary things happen.

We are currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Carl Nowell Award. The deadline for submission is March 3, 2025.

See Award Winners Nominate Now

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Conference Location
Bryant Conference Center
240 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487

Host Hotel
Hotel Capstone
320 Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Phone: (205) 752‐3200

 

ABOUT US

ASADS exist to foster and maintain the integrity of alcohol and substance misuse related services for consumers and provide continuing education and educational programs for professionals working with populations affected by alcohol and substance misuse.

In doing so, we wish to coordinate between federal, state and local agencies to enhance the development of comprehensive educational programs focusing on alcohol and substance misuse issues. This will set a high standard of professional education and training through educational conferences and programs of continuing education.

OUR MISSION

To provide affordable quality education to the community on substance misuse treatment, prevention, and other areas of shared concern.

OUR VISION

To lead the effort in promoting a broader understanding and acceptance of the process of addiction.

 

Our Board

Continuing Education Units - CEUs

ASADS is excited to offer our conference participants CEUs.  Click the button below for ASADS CEU information.

CEU Info

Thank you to all ASADS Exhibitors and Sponsors.

2025 Platinum Sponsors

2025 Gold Sponsors

2025 Silver Sponsors

2025 Patrons

Questions

    2024 Award Recipient

    Dr. Karen Falck Marlowe

    Previous Winners

    Pamela Butler (2023)Dr. Darlene Traffanstedt (2022)Christopher Retan (2021)Carol Potok (2020)
    Gwen Thomas-LeBlanc (2019)Sarah Harkless (2018)Patrick Tidwell (2017)
    		Foster Cook (2016)
    Richard Bonds (2015)Theodore Mitchell (2014)Kathy House (2013)
    		Callie Dietz (2012)
    Kent Hunt (2011)
    		Susan Reid (2010)Elana Parker (2009)Carl Nowell (2008)

    ASADS is currently accepting nominations for the Carl Nowell Leadership Award to be presented during the 49th Annual School in Tuscaloosa, AL, on March 19, 2025. All nominations in substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery are welcomed.




















       

      2025 ASADS Board of Directors

      NAME TITLE AGENCY
      Debbi Metzger President Alabama Department of Mental Health
      Sandy Johnson Vice President Montgomery Family Court
      Rachel Kiefer Secretary Alabama Department of Public Health
      Vanessa Goepel Treasurer University of Alabama
      Lucy Douglas  Parliamentarian Veteran Military Crisis Line
      Elana P. Merriweather Advisory Chair/Voting Member Alabama Department of Mental Health
      Brandi Brown Board of Dir. Alabama Department of Rehab Services
      Roderick Chambers Board of Dir. Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
      Jackie Hill Gordon/Cedric Stanton (Proxy) Board of Dir. VA Medical Center-Tuscaloosa
      Scott Holmes Board of Dir. Federal Bureau of Prisons
      Gail Hooper Board of Dir. Drug Education Council
      Kathy House Board of Dir. ATTC
      Fatima Johnson Board of Dir. Alabama Department of Youth Services
      Shona Johnson Board of Dir. Alabama Department of Corrections
      Stephen Kiser Board of Dir. Walker Recovery Center
      Rhonda Lawless Board of Dir. Rhonda Lawless Consulting, LLC
      Lonnie Layton Board of Dir. Alliance Health Center
      Sheree Logan Towne Board of Dir. NAADAC
      Rodney Maiden Board of Dir. Troy University
      Abby Migliore Board of Dir. Alabama Board of Nursing
      Donna Oates Board of Dir. Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
      Greg Snodgrass Board of Dir. Cumberland Heights
      Advisory Board
      William Bomar Advisory Board VA Medical Center-Tuscaloosa
      Carmela Y. Drake Advisory Board Alabama State University
      Savannah Fell Advisory Board Walker Recovery Center
      Shirley M. Ford Advisory Board Pike Road Counseling, LLC
      Curt Lindsley Advisory Board Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences
      Derek Osborn Advisory Board Turning Point Treatment Facility
      Sharmen Rutherford Advisory Board All Things New Counseling Services, LLC
      WTM ASSOCIATES (Management)
      Ellen Robertson Advisory Board ASADS Business Manager
      Jaime Vazquez Advisory Board ASADS Administrative Coordinator
      Continuing Education

      CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS
      Continuing Education (CE) acknowledges the commitment of individuals attending approved educational programs. Conference participants can earn up to 25 CE contact hours based on documented daily attendance.

      CE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

      • Alabama Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association
      • Alabama Alcoholism and Drug Counselor Certification Board
      • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
      • National Board of Certified Counselors-6600
      • Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners‐0502
      • Alabama Psychological Association
      • Alabama Board of Nursing Home Administrators
      • Alabama Board of Nursing-ABNP 1475 *Participants must bring nursing card for onsite electron scanning.

      CE PROVIDER STATEMENTS
      This school is sponsored by ASADS and the Alabama Psychological Association (aPA). The aPA is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. aPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Partial attendance, late arrival, or early departure will preclude the issuance of CE credits.

      ASADS has been approved as a Continuing Education Provider with the Alabama Board of Social Workers and may offer approved clock hours for programs that meet Alabama Board of Social Workers guidelines.

      APOSTC: This conference can be used for Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) credits if approved by your agency head.

      CRSS: This program has been approved for continuing education credit hours for Certified Recovery Support Specialists.

      ASADS has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP # 6600. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified on the Workshop Schedule. ASADS is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

      Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) to sponsor continuing education credits for counselors. Sponsor number 00060639.

      To qualify for continuing education (CE) credits, participants must:

      • Register: Ensure you identify the type of CE requested when registering for the conference. Specific designations will also need to check in at the designated registration desk upon arrival (see below for designations).
      • Attend Sessions in Full: CE credit is awarded based on full attendance at approved sessions. Partial credit will not be given.
        • Participants are responsible for selecting the course that meets the requirements of their certifying/licensing body for contact hours and renewal needs.
      • Complete Evaluations: Submit required conference/session evaluations by the specified deadline to receive credit.

      Verification of Attendance:
      Attendance will be monitored through sign-in sheets (for specific designations) and badge scanning (for all attendees). Be sure to follow the specific procedures outlined during the conference.

      Certificate Distribution:
      CE certificates will be issued via email within 6 weeks following the conference, provided all attendance and evaluation requirements have been met. In accordance with CE granting authority guidelines, certificates cannot be issued early, transferred, or awarded for unapproved courses.

      DESIGNATIONS THAT REQUIRE SIGN IN
      CRC/CRCC – All CRC/CRCC need to locate the “CRC/CRCC Signage Station” and complete the course completion form at the end of each day.

      ABN – All nurses need to locate the “ABN Signage Station” and swipe their nursing license upon arrival and departure each day.

      aPA – Forms will be available at the registration desk which must be completed after the end of each day by participant seeking aPA CE.

      All other designations must have badge scanned for each session attended and must complete the evaluation before receiving CE certificate.

      If you have questions regarding CE and the ASADS course content, contact Dr. Ellen Robertson at erobertson@asadsonline.com or 501-352-6192.

      Download CEU Info