SSW Webinar - Not Just Benzodiazepines: Alternative Treatments of Anxiety and Depression
2026-01-05 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
The primary goal of this webinar is to explore non-pharmaceutical treatment of depression and anxiety. The number of people looking for non-pharmaceutical interventions is increasing in both the psychiatric and addiction fields. One need look no further than the desire to decrease benzodiazepine (BZD) use. Treatments to be discussed include herbal and amino acid substances as well as vagal nerve stimulation.

For more information, click here.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of BZDs
List three herbal medications used to treat depression
Describe the mechanism by which some amino acids work in the brain
Explain the effects of using vagal nerve stimulation to treat depression
Define three alternatives to benzodiazepines for treating anxiety

SSW Webinar - Social Media's Influence on Self-Harm Behaviors and Self-Regulation
2026-01-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
This webinar will begin with an introduction to how social media influences both self-esteem and self-regulating behaviors. We will then move into examining various social media outlets. Newer social media outlets will be explored including the level of involvement different age groups and genders have with them. Finally, the webinar will move into social medias influence on self-regulating behaviors. The webinar will provide strategies for lessening clients exposure to social media. [Elective for Eating Disorders Clinical Certificate Program]
For more information, click here.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

List and describe different types of self-harm behaviors including substance use, self-mutilation, and disordered eating
Explain new strategies for bringing self-harm behaviors into the therapy conversation
List and describe different social media outlets
Review current trends for social media usage among different age groups and genders
Describe the influence of increasing social media exposure and negative behaviors (such as poor body image or disordered eating)
Identify strategies for reducing social media usage in clients and raising awareness of social media influence.

NIH Grant Writing Mini-Course
2026-01-05 14:00 - 2026-01-09 15:30 | Virtual
New to NIH grants? NJACTS is offering a 5-session virtual mini-course (daily, 2–3:30 pm ET on Zoom) to demystify K & R applications, with practical guidance from a grant-writing coach and recent awardees. Open to trainees, postdocs, fellows, faculty, instructors, and clinicians at U.S.-based institutions (Rutgers affiliation not required).
Enrollment closes Dec 12.
Learn more: https://form.jotform.com/243153997988176

SSW Webinar - Current Drug Trends and Emerging Drugs of Abuse
2026-01-06 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
Many new drugs are making local and national headlines such as K2/Spice and Bath Salts. This interactive webinar will discuss the latest developments and information regarding synthetic cannabinoids, MDPV, Mephedrone, Kratom, Salvia and other designer drugs that have been emerging over the past few years. Webinar participants will be introduced to the physiology of these drugs and how they can possibly impact, mimic and exacerbate mental health disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders. Epidemiologic trends in drug abuse in both youth and adults will be discussed as will the latest trends from the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services. Webinar participants will participate in interactive discussions and exercises in differential diagnosis of similar symptoms produced by these emerging drugs of abuse and other mental health disorders. Patterns of use, abilities for urine detection, and other legal aspect regarding these emerging drugs will be discussed. [This webinar will complete your prescription opioid social work license requirement.]
For more information, click here.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Differentiate the major elements the Federal Government uses when classifying drugs from schedule 1 through schedule 5.
Identify at least two differences (in terms of negative effects) that occur with the ingestion of synthetic cannabinoids.
State which class of drugs synthetic cannabinoids & bath salts (synthetic cathinones) are classified under in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Workshop participants will be able to list at least three negative side effects of each.
Compare differences that drugs of abuse such as Adderall, Oxycodone and Suboxone are classified under in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Workshop participants will be able to list three negative side effects of each drug listed in this lecture.
List and describe two different best practice therapy approaches regarding counseling clients who are abusing these emerging substances of abuse.
Discuss current legal issues both locally and nationally as they relate to using these emerging substances of abuse.

SSW Webinar - The Opioid Crisis in NJ: Current Trends and Evidence-Based Treatment Options
2026-01-07 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
This interactive webinar will discuss the latest developments and trends regarding natural opiates, semi-synthetic opioids, and synthetic opioids. Participants will be able to identify national and local NJ trends with regards to prescribing practices and new legislation, opioid overdoses and trends with opioid use. Participants will be able to distinguish the difference between which drugs are considered naturally occurring opiates, which are considered semi-synthetic opioids and which are considered synthetic opioids. Participants will be introduced into the assessment of and treatment of Opioid Use Disorders via the DSM 5 criteria, the latest nationally recognized medicated assisted treatment and the non-medication assisted treatment approaches when working with clients. Participants will be able to identify three different medicated assisted treatments (MAT), and discussion of medicinal marijuana being added as an MAT option. Webinar participants will be introduced to a harm reduction treatment paradigm and will be able to identify at least 3 different harm reduction principles when working with clients. Finally, participants will engage in an interactive case that will develop throughout the webinar and have different objectives (e.g., assessing a proper level of care, and then incorporating a harm reduction treatment orientation with the client in regards to their MAT decision process). [This webinar will complete your prescription opioid social work license requirement]
For more information, click here.
Objectives
At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will be able to:

Differentiate the major elements the Federal Government uses when classifying drugs from schedule 1 through schedule 5.
Identify national and local NJ trends with regards to prescribing practices and new legislation, opioid overdoses and trends with opioid use.
Distinguish the difference between which drugs are considered naturally occurring opiates, which are considered semi-synthetic opioids and which are considered synthetic opioids.
List and describe three different best practice medication assisted therapies when working with clients who have an opioid use disorder.

SSW Webinar - Ethical and Legal Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling
2026-01-08 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
This interactive webinar focuses on the major elements of legal issues surrounding counselors in working with patients who have substance use disorders. In this webinar, participants will learn about the different areas of legal concern for today’s counselors working with clients who have both mental health and substance use issues. Legal areas include scope of clinical practice regarding supervision (including 2019 changes and proposed rule changes), ADC telehealth and telemedicine regulations (proposed in 2021), and NJ Uniform Enforcement Act changes (including 2021 changes). Other recent changes to include the required 3 hours of Legal Standards training include regulation/statute changes in ADC continuing education (3 hours of Legal Standards) and statutory requirements of 1 hour of opioid training (for those dually licensed professionals).
*This webinar does not meet the prescription opioid requirement for social work.
*This webinar does not qualify for NBCC clock hours in ethics for Licensed Professional Counselors.
For more information, click here.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Differentiate the major elements necessary to be a qualified supervisor according to the NJ LCADC/CADC licensure regulations.
Identify at least 3 of the telehealth/telemedicine NJ LCADC/CADC regulatory categories.
List at least 3 of the NJ Uniform Enforcement Act Duty to Report components.
Explain which websites are necessary to keep up on licensure regulations changes in NJ.

RARC Town Hall Meeting (Virtual - Town Hall #1)
2026-01-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
It has now been three years since we launched the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC), and your feedback has played a vital role in shaping our mission and activities. As we look ahead to the next 3–5 years, we are once again seeking your input to help guide the future of the RARC. We will be holding a series of town hall meetings in January to share results from the recent RARC Feedback Survey and to create an open forum for discussing priorities and future directions. We hope you will join us for one of these sessions.
If you would like to receive the Feedback Survey materials in advance of the call, please register here.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/92709619388?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 927 0961 9388; Password: [REDACTED]
Phone: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

SSW Webinar - Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: What Every Curious Therapist Needs to Know
2026-01-13 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a treatment tool increasingly sought by potential clients. Curious clients frequently turn to known mental health professionals to help them assess if this is a good tool for their own healing. Our webinar will leave you sufficiently informed for a thoughtful conversation about if your clients/ friends/ family/ colleagues or you might want to try KAP. It will also help you gauge your own interest in this as a tool for your practice.
For more information, .
KAP provides new possibilities as a medicine for certain mood disorders but is also leveraged well working with obsessive compulsive disorders, neurosis, phobias, trauma work, grief, addiction, etc. and as a general tool for our most stuck places with our most stuck clients. We will dive into all the Who/What/Why/Where and How:

Who is well suited for this treatment?
Who is well suited to work in this field?
What does the treatment process look like?
What conditions and themes are contraindicated?
Where does treatment happen?
Why might you turn to this tool as a client? As a therapist?
How does ketamine and KAP even help?
How do people access KAP

Rutgers Psychiatry Grand Rounds featuring RWJMS Research - Maia Choi and I-Tzu Hung
2026-01-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The Rutgers Department of Psychiatry is excited to invite you join to our Grand Rounds on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 @ 11AM.
This will be an exciting session presented by I-Tzu Hung (Post-Doctoral Associate) and Maia Choi (Post-Doctoral fellow). Both are a part of RWJMS, Rutgers Addiction Research Center.
Meeting URL: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/97772468109?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 977 7246 8109
Password: [REDACTED]

Special Populations Webinar – Increasing Access to MOUD: Direct to Inject Buprenorphine
2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
In this presentation, we will highlight the rationale for Direct to Inject XR buprenorphine to improve access to life saving treatment for opioid use disorder. We will review the results of a recent national survey comparing emerging practices across the US. Finally, we will review the algorithm that was recently released by the Bridge Center at PHI for emergency department administration of XR buprenorphine and the evidence behind it.

Arianna is an Emergency and Addiction Medicine PA with more than 26 years of clinical experience. She works in Emergency and Addiction Psychiatry as well as buprenorphine access at the VA in Sacramento and serves as Senior Director and M- Principal Investigator for The Bridge Center at PHI and CA Bridge, a program for which she is a cofounder. She is President-elect for California Academy of Physician Associates and is a CE committee member and Presidential Taskforce member for ASAM.

To register, click here.

SSW Webinar - Navigating the Social Media Age: The Talk to Keep YOU Up to Date
2026-01-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Social Media is a BIG part of adolescents’ lives. This webinar program looks at the newest trends in social networking as well as the warning signs that providers, parents and caregivers should be informed of. In this program participants will be introduced to common social media sites; laws in accordance with social media usage ; strategies to restore life balance with youth ; signs and symptoms if your child/teen are being affected by social media and referral resources if additional support is needed. [Elective for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Certificate Program]

For more information, click here.

SSW Webinar - Eating Disorders and Obsessive ﻿Compulsive Disorder: Sorting Out the Complicated Symptom Picture (1/15 & 1/22)
2026-01-15 09:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
DATES: 1/15/26 & 1/22/26, 9:30am-12pm each day. This is a 2-day webinar. Eating disorders and OCD are two extremely complicated illnesses and often times, their symptoms overlap. The eating disorder client obsesses about calories and compulsively exercises. The Obsessive Compulsive client can present as a 16 yr. old who obsesses about eating clean but doesn’t necessarily fit criteria for an eating disorder. Understanding in detail both of these disorders show they may overlap and can greatly impact treatment. This webinar will illustrate the complexities in these two disorders especially when they occur together. Participants must attend both days to receive a certificate of completion. [Required for Eating Disorders Clinical Certificate Program]
For more information, click here.

GSAPP Webinar - Self-Compassion: An Approach to Addressing Shame and Stigma in Addiction and Recovery
2026-01-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Emerging research in neuroscience and Compassion-Focused Therapy shows that practicing mindful self-compassion can profoundly impact physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being-especially for those navigating recovery. Based on the work of Dr. Kristin Neff, this workshop explores how self-kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of shared humanity can counteract harmful patterns like self-criticism, anxiety, and isolation—often at the root of substance use, disordered eating, and other at-risk behaviors. Shame, stigma and trauma are interwoven into the challenges faced by those who suffer from addiction and/or other mental health challenges. Studies have shown that the implementation of Sell-Compassion is trans-theoretical- able to be utilized in whatever individual or group therapy utilized, including CBT,DBT, IFS, ACT, EFT etc. Participants will gain practical strategies and practices for themselves and for their client. Studies have shown that Self-Compassion has positive outcomes in assisting to regulate emotions, decrease anxiety, manage grief and trauma, enhance a sense of well-being, and build resilience and recovery capital for lasting healing and personal growth.

Live Zoom Webinar

Instructor: Roseann Cervelli, MS, LCADC, CCS, CPS
Instructional Level: Introductory
For more information and registration, click here.

RARC Town Hall Meeting (Virtual - Town Hall #2)
2026-01-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
It has now been three years since we launched the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC), and your feedback has played a vital role in shaping our mission and activities. As we look ahead to the next 3–5 years, we are once again seeking your input to help guide the future of the RARC. We will be holding a series of town hall meetings in January to share results from the recent RARC Feedback Survey and to create an open forum for discussing priorities and future directions. We hope you will join us for one of these sessions.
If you would like to receive the Feedback Survey materials in advance of the call, please register here.
Join Zoom Meeting: Https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/92865504877?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 978 9891 6932; Password: [REDACTED]
Phone: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Research Resources Workshop Wednesday (R²W²) Series - Library Support Services
2026-01-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Join Zoom: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/96626133912

RARC Treatment & Recovery Workgroup
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Medical Sciences Building, E609, Emergency Medicine Conference Room, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103
We invite you to join us for the next Treatment & Recovery Workgroup Meeting on Thursday, January 22nd, hosted in Newark. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. A virtual option via Zoom will also be available for those unable to attend in person.This gathering aims to bring together addiction researchers from across Rutgers, particularly those focused on treatment and recovery. Our goal is to facilitate idea exchange, networking, and collaboration to drive impactful, interdisciplinary research initiatives.
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 @12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET
In-person location: Medical Sciences Building, E609, Emergency Medicine Conference Room, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103
Virtual location: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/92528528555?pwd=[REDACTED]

SSW Webinar - Understanding Comorbidity in the ﻿Treatment of Eating Disorders
2026-01-26 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
This clinical webinar will focus on comorbid concerns and diagnoses related to Eating Disorders. Newer trends focusing on ADHD and autism will be discussed and how they influence disordered eating behaviors. Case studies will be used to understand the comorbidity of these diagnoses and how to work with clients on both the disordered eating and other concerns. (This is an elective for the Certificate Program in Eating Disorders)
For more information, click here.
Objectives
Participants will be able to label disordered eating behaviors related to other diagnoses.
Participants will be able to identify eating issues that are the results of non-eating disorder concerns.
Participants will use case study examples to discuss comorbidity related to disordered eating.

RARC SciENcv Workshop
2026-01-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
NIH will require the use of Common Forms and SciENcv to prepare biographical sketches for grant applications, progress reports, and other related submissions with due dates on or after January 25, 2026.

Rutgers Research Services Librarian, Yingting Chen, will be delivering a session to RARC researchers on Tuesday, January 27 @2:00 PM Eastern introducing the NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement (replacing the traditional NIH biosketch formats by January 25, 2026). The session will also include a demo of ORCID and SciENcv.

Zoom: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/96175667649?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 961 7566 7649
Passcode: [REDACTED]

RARC Town Hall Meeting (Virtual - Town Hall #3)
2026-01-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
It has now been three years since we launched the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC), and your feedback has played a vital role in shaping our mission and activities. As we look ahead to the next 3–5 years, we are once again seeking your input to help guide the future of the RARC. We will be holding a series of town hall meetings in January to share results from the recent RARC Feedback Survey and to create an open forum for discussing priorities and future directions. We hope you will join us for one of these sessions.
If you would like to receive the Feedback Survey materials in advance of the call, please register here.
Join Zoom Meeting: Https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/97898916932?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 928 6550 4877; Password: [REDACTED]
Phone: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

RARC Digital Health Workgroup Meeting featuring Evan Kleiman, Ph.D.
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for the next RARC Digital Health Workgroup featuring Evan Kleiman, Associate Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Kleiman’s work focuses on understanding the everyday occurrence of factors of interest to clinical psychological scientists. He has a specific focus on understanding and improving the everyday lives of individuals at risk for suicide using smartphone and wearable monitoring technology.
Presentation: Smartphone and Wearable Monitoring Technology
Presenter: Evan Kleiman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology,Rutger School of Arts and Sciences

Zoom: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/95089398671?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 950 8939 8671
Password: [REDACTED]

RARC Translational Impact Workgroup
2026-01-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join the next meeting of the RARC Translational Impact during which Drs. Jamey Lister, Danielle Dick, and Jill Rabinowitz will lead a review and forum on a draft white paper outlining priorities, resources, and actionable steps for moving addiction research translation forward. During the meeting, member input will be gathered via poll questions about the types of strategies they see as most important to advancing impact for addiction science.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/91077691729?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 910 7769 1729
Password: [REDACTED]

Rutgers Psychiatry Grand Rounds - RWJMS - Trainee Grand Rounds - Dr. Minhi Kang & Dr. Rahul Ramasubramani (Sports Betting & Gambling Disorder in Today's Tech World)
2026-02-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The Rutgers Department of Psychiatry is excited to invite you join to our Grand Rounds on Tuesday, February 3, 2025 @ 11AM.
This will be an exciting session presented by General Psychiatry Residents, Dr. Minhi Kang and Dr. Rahul Ramasubramani.
Please see attached PDF for instruction on texting attendance for CE Credits.

Zoom Meeting: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/97772468109?pwd=[REDACTED]

SSW Webinar - Navigating Eating Disorder Treatment in a Digital Space: Ethics, Research, and Best Practices
2026-02-04 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
This webinar is s designed for mental health professionals seeking to expand their competence in providing virtual care for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Participants will explore evidence-based interventions, review current research on the efficacy of teletherapy for eating disorders, and engage in critical discussions on ethical considerations, including appropriateness, confidentiality, boundary management, and crisis response in virtual settings. Emphasis will be placed on culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices, as well as strategies to build therapeutic rapport and maintain clinical integrity in remote environments. This interactive webinar aims to empower clinicians with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide compassionate, effective, and ethically sound treatment in an increasingly digital world. [Elective for Eating Disorders Certificate Program]
For more information, click here.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Identify signs and symptoms of eating disorder and body image issues and determine whether a client is clinically appropriate for virtual care
Review current research of online treatment of eating disorders
Discuss screening tools
Describe evidence-based treatments and best practices
Demonstrate understanding of ethical considerations for eating disorders in a virtual setting

O'Neill Institute's Winter Institute on Addiction Policy and the Law
2026-02-09 09:00 - 2026-02-10 17:00 | Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus
The Winter Institute on Addiction Policy and the Law brings together leading practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and academics to explore the role law and policies play in addressing addiction in the United States. Interactive lectures, panels, and case studies will examine the science of addiction, as well as the role litigation and policymaking play in shaping national addiction policy. Participants will also learn from academics and practitioners with expertise in international approaches to addiction.
Key Details & Topics

Focus: The program examines the legal underpinnings of addiction, including how litigation and policy shape national responses to the overdose crisis. Content: Features interactive lectures, panel discussions, and case studies regarding drug policy.
Target Audience: Open to attorneys (seeking CLE), policymakers, health experts, and clinicians.
Format: The 2026 event will be held in-person at Georgetown’s Capitol Campus, with virtual options available.
Accreditation: CLE credits are available for DC, MD, PA, VA, and NY.
Leadership: The initiative is led by experts like Regina LaBelle, who focus on translating research into actionable, public health-focused policies.

The event is organized by the Center on Addiction and Public Policy at the O’Neill Institute.

Addiction Policy Forum Webinar - Neuromodulation: Promising New Approaches to Addressing Substance Use Disorders
2026-02-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Neuromodulation is gaining attention as an effective approach for treating substance use disorders. These techniques work by using electrical, magnetic, or soundwave stimulation to stimulate brain circuits affected by addiction. Research shows encouraging results in reducing craving and relapse risk.

During this webinar, leading researchers will provide an overview of neuromodulation, including the different techniques and how they work, and what current science shows about their potential role in addiction treatment. This session is designed for a broad audience and breaks down research in a clear, accessible way, highlighting where the science is today and where it may be headed next.

For more information, click here.

Rutgers Center for Research on Ending Violence Presentation - Developing Measures of Feasibility, Accessibility, and Outcomes of Using Bystander Intervention for Problematic Alcohol Use
2026-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | REV Conference Room, 123 Church Street, New Brunswick
Drs. Erika Montanaro and Annelise Mennicke (UNC Charlotte) will present work from an NIH-funded R15 examining how bystander intervention can be used to address problematic alcohol use. The talk will highlight the development and validation of measures assessing bystander feasibility, accessibility, and outcomes, informed by focus groups and interviews with diverse college students.

Open to all and free of charge – RSVP to revcenter@ssw.rutgers.edu

Rutgers Center for Research on Ending Violence Group Activity - “The Good Friend Game”
2026-02-12 13:30 - 15:00 | REV Conference Room, 123 Church Street, New Brunswick
Rutgers’ Center for Research on Ending Violence will host “The Good Friend Game,” an interactive, tabletop group activity developed by partners at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center. Led by Drs. Annelise Mennicke and Erika Montanaro, the session engages participants in thinking through realistic bystander intervention strategies in risky alcohol-related situations, with a focus on building awareness, responsibility, and confidence to intervene.

RSVP required to revcenter@ssw.rutgers.edu

RARC Training in Addiction Research Program (TARP) Meeting featuring Dr. Schmidt "Targeting central GLP-1Rs to reduce drug-mediated behaviors”
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Deans Conference Room, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
RARC Training in Addiction Research Program (TARP) Meeting Featuring Dr. Heath D. Schmidt (University of Pennsylvania)“Targeting Central GLP-1 Receptors to Reduce Drug-Mediated Behaviors”February 19 | 1:00–2:00 PM
Dean’s Conference Room (Busch)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/92461980760?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 924 6198 0760
Passcode: [REDACTED]
The RARC Training in Addiction Research Program (TARP) welcomes Dr. Heath D. Schmidt, Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, for a seminar exploring how central GLP-1 receptor signaling influences motivated and drug-seeking behaviors. Dr. Schmidt’s research integrates preclinical models of addiction with cutting-edge molecular, circuit-level, and imaging approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets for substance use disorders. His work offers important insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction and the development of new pharmacological strategies to reduce drug use and relapse.
These events are for all TARP and RARC faculty and trainees, as well as collaborators and friends, so feel free to pass along the invitation to others. Food and drinks will be provided.

SSW Webinar - Addiction and Recovery: Where We Have Been, Where We Are Going
2026-02-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This course examines how the field of addiction treatment and recovery has evolved since the development of 12-step recovery spaces in the 1950’s, from societal conceptualizations about addiction to how treatment and evidence-based practices have shaped what we now call clinical addiction treatment. Particular attention will be paid to how paradigms, stigma, and oppressive systems have influenced and shaped addiction and treatment trends. Participants will critically examine the successes and pitfalls of addiction treatment as it stands today, including specific models and systems of recovery and what the field calls “evidence-based practices”. Special attention will be paid to how the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, and neuropharmacology have informed what we know today about addiction, and what it means for integrative recovery strategies moving forward.
For more information, click here.

RARC Psychiatric & Behavior Genetics Workgroup - Kickoff Meeting - Featuring Jared Balboa
2026-02-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Led by Drs. Jill Rabinowitz, Jessica Salvatore, and Sarah Brislin, the Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics Working Group brings together Rutgers scholars to advance understanding of the genetic basis of complex mental health outcomes and foster multidisciplinary collaboration.
The kickoff meeting will feature Dr. Jared V. Balbona, whose research uses genome-wide and family-based approaches to examine risk, resilience, and heterogeneity across psychiatric conditions, with a focus on substance use disorders

If you are interested in joining the working group or list serve, please complete the following survey (https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0kdh4GjBeGHGlBI)
—
Join Zoom Meeting: https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99382867088?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 993 8286 7088
Password: [REDACTED]
