Challenges and new horizons in substance use and addictions: Overview of the 2019 conference of the Association of Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA)

The morbidity and mortality associated with opioids, alcohol and other substances challenges clinicians, educators, researchers and policy makers to address these preventable health problems. Interventions are needed to address the many and complex factors that are needed for access to and receipt of life-saving treatment and resources for those who are at risk because of substance use and those with substance use disorders. This article provides an overview of the 43rd annual conference of the Association of Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) held in Boston, MA on November 7–9, 2019. With more than 500 attendees from the nursing, social work, behavioral health, psychiatry, medicine, pharmacy, research and policy among others, the conference provided a platform to address challenges and new horizons in substance and addiction prevention, treatment and research, as well as opportunities for collegial discussion and networking.