Blog
ASAM 57th Annual Conference Preview with Planning Committee Chair Dr. Alvanzo
Each spring, ASAM’s Annual Conference brings together the addiction treatment community to learn, connect, and draw inspiration from innovators transforming the field of addiction medicine. This year’s gathering will take place April 23–26 in San Diego and feature more than 70 expert-led sessions covering best practices in addiction care and offer countless opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from across the country.
The chance to learn from and connect with addiction medicine leaders motivated Anika Alvanzo, MD, MS, FACP, DFASAM, to attend her first ASAM conference in 2008. In the years that followed, she looked forward to being among professionals who shared her commitment to supporting the health and well-being of people affected by addiction.
Fast forward to May 2020, when Dr. Alvanzo became chair of the ASAM Conference Planning Committee. Over the past almost six years, she has focused on creating a conference experience grounded in learning, connection, and inspiration – the same elements that made her early ASAM meetings so memorable. And this year’s event is no exception.
In this Q&A, Dr. Alvanzo offers a glimpse into what attendees can expect at ASAM’s 57th Annual Conference and reflects on how the meeting has evolved throughout the years.
Q: What are you most excited about for this year’s conference?
A: I’m most excited about our programming, which tackles the most pressing challenges facing our addiction treatment community and the patients we serve. For example, we have sessions that break down the upcoming Medicaid policy changes following the passage of H.R.1, which significantly reduced federal support for Medicaid and Medicaid expansion. Many of the people we serve rely on these programs for essential care, and treatment professionals are looking for guidance on how to navigate these policy shifts and advocate for continued access to evidence-based treatment. We address this issue, along with other timely topics in addiction medicine policy and clinical care, head-on in our programming.
I also look forward to the conversations and collaborations that happen between presentations. The conference offers an incredible opportunity to exchange insights with peers, reconnect with colleagues, and find fellowship in our shared mission to treat addiction and save lives.
Q: ASAM’s conference focuses on innovations in addiction medicine and science. What new research or scientific innovations will be on display?
A: There will be conversations focused on the rapidly changing drug supply, which our field must stay responsive to. We’ll have sessions exploring the latest research and trends on emerging substances and adulterants, including kratom and medetomidine. While these substances and adulterants aren’t widespread in every community, that could change. We’ve seen this already with xylazine, the veterinary sedative that first appeared in localized areas before spreading across the country. The same could happen with medetomidine. These sessions will be especially valuable for attendees looking for strategies to better care for patients exposed to various substances and adulterants.
Q: You’ve led Annual Conference planning since 2020. In what ways has the conference grown and evolved throughout the past few years?
A: The conference has grown significantly in recent years. Our 2025 conference was our largest to date, with well over 2,900 attendees. We’re also receiving a record number of abstract submissions for both sessions and posters.
The breadth and variety of topics have increased as well. For example, the conference has grown to include more content on behavioral addictions and the needs of special populations, including adolescents, individuals experiencing homelessness, and people involved in the justice system. This growth reflects our field’s commitment to expanding access to and improving the quality of addiction care for patients across all communities.
Q: What’s an Annual Conference achievement you’re most proud of?
A: The ASAM Board of Directors established ASAM’s Diversity Travel Awards in 2022, which is a program I’m incredibly proud of. This award program is designed to help individuals from underrepresented backgrounds attend our conference. Recipients are provided with a travel stipend and are invited to participate in ASAM’s Mentorship Program. This program is just one of the many ways we are working to promote inclusivity in the addiction medicine workforce. We proudly welcomed our first cohort in 2025.
Q: What should new attendees expect from ASAM’s Annual Conference?
A: This conference provides a space to learn and build meaningful connections with fellow treatment professionals. We make a concerted effort to create a welcoming environment for those who are new to the conference or who are trainees. As an example, our conference buddy system pairs new registrants with previous attendees, so they immediately have someone to connect with during the event.
We also encourage attendees to come ready to participate. Workshops are intentionally designed to be interactive, giving people the chance to engage directly with presenters and their session content. And of course, the conference features a variety of networking socials where participants can reconnect with colleagues, meet speakers, and form new connections. Don’t miss the Saturday social – the ice cream goes fast!
Q: What kinds of conversations and connections tend to happen at Annual Conference that might not occur elsewhere?
Annual Conference also creates opportunities to form collaborations and partnerships with peers. You get to speak with people you may never have met otherwise, learn how they’re overcoming similar challenges, and take those lessons back to your community and clinical practice.
I’ve also always found this to be a very down-to-earth group — a community of people who are easy to talk to and who are deeply vested in the health and well-being of the patients they serve. Especially now, when funding for addiction services is unpredictable, the ability to gather with others who share your goals and serve similar communities really matters. That sense of fellowship makes a difference in the work we do every day.
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Explore the latest innovations in addiction medicine and connect with industry leaders at the ASAM 57th Annual Conference, April 23–26 in San Diego, California. Learn more and register here.