IntNSA

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!

From Practice to the Podium, your work in addictions care deserves a global stage.

The International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) is now accepting abstract submissions for our 2027 Conference in Dublin, Ireland (15–17 June 2027)!

We are bringing together nurses, researchers, educators, policymakers, practitioners, and individuals with living and lived experience to advance evidence-informed approaches in addictions care.

We invite submissions across 5 key sub-themes:
* Challenging Stigma & Discrimination in Underserved Communities
* Innovations in Evidence-Informed Practice
* Equity in Policy and Advocacy
* Lived Experience Leadership
* Strengthening Workforce Knowledge & Competencies

Presentation Formats:
* Oral Presentations (20 mins)
* Poster Presentations
* Symposia / Panel Discussions (50 mins)
* Interactive Workshops (50 mins)

Deadline: November 30th, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

Need help writing your abstract? Check out our step-by-step video guide on the portal!

Submit your abstract today: https://intnsa.memberclicks.net/application-for-abstracts

September is International Recovery Month, and for Week 4 of our 5-part series, we are focusing on a fundamental truth: there is no single way to recover.

In addiction nursing, we see firsthand that real healing happens when care fits the person, not the other way around. Long-term success depends on having a broad, connected network of support—from prevention and specialized treatment to peer-run services, recovery housing, employment programs, and faith communities.

Meeting people where they are means respecting every valid road to recovery:

Evidence-Based Medicine: FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders save lives and serve as a proven, legitimate path forward.

Cultural & Indigenous Healing: Native-led approaches—including traditional ceremonies, talking circles, and culture-based practices—are vital, sovereign pathways that demand real recognition and funding.

Community & Rural Access: A person's zip code shouldn't dictate their chance at getting help. Expanding recovery infrastructure in rural areas is essential so geography never stands in the way of care.

Innovative Models: From arts-based therapies to peer-run respite centers, community-driven programs are redefining what support looks like.

No matter what combination of tools someone uses to get well, every pathway deserves dignity, resources, and respect.

At IntNSA, we advocate for flexible, non-judgmental care that honors every unique journey.

How is your practice or community helping expand access to different pathways of recovery?

Explore our global resources and join our network of addictions nurses: www.intnsa.org

Welcome to the New IntNSA Member Experience

Today marks a huge new chapter for all of us, and honestly, we couldn't be more excited to share it with you.

Whether you're a nurse on the frontlines, a student, educator, researcher, allied health professional, or someone bringing irreplaceable lived experience to the table, you are the heart of this global community. Everything we do to advance addictions care happens because of the energy and expertise you bring.

Our strength has always been you. So we built something to match.

We’ve been working behind the scenes to launch a brand-new member platform designed from the ground up to help you connect, grow, lead, and transform across countries, cultures, and disciplines.

By bringing our main website and member database together into one seamless space, your new member experience makes it easier than ever to:
* Network globally: Find and collaborate with colleagues across the world in seconds.
* Showcase your work: Share your professional wins, research, background, and specific areas of interest.
* Tap into the community: Discover the deep pool of expertise living inside our network.
* Stay in the loop: Get direct access to upcoming IntNSA events, key resources, and high-impact opportunities.
* Make your voice heard: Engage in discussions that actually drive the future of our field.

It’s cleaner, faster, and built entirely around what you need to thrive.

Ready to jump in? Check your inbox right now for your step-by-step instructions on how to set up your profile and get started today!

Let’s keep building the future of addictions care together. Welcome to the new IntNSA experience!

September is International Recovery Month, and for Week 3 of our 5-part series, we’re shifting the conversation toward Wellness as the Engine of Recovery.

As addictions nurses, we know you can't separate mental health from long-term recovery. Taking care of someone's everyday mental well-being is what actually sustains their progress.

Long-term success relies heavily on building everyday resilience. That means looking beyond immediate crisis management and equipping patients with real, practical tools for daily emotional regulation.

That’s where basic wellness comes in:
*Sleep: Restores neural pathways and helps reset baseline anxiety.
* Nutrition: Keeps blood sugar stable, directly influencing mood and impulse control.
* Physical Activity: Acts as a natural release valve for stress and supports neuroplasticity.

We don't view sleep, nutrition, and exercise as optional habits—they're core tools for recovery. Pairing basic physical health with mental health services gives people the stability they need to actually thrive, not just survive.

At IntNSA, we believe total health requires treating the entire individual: body and mind together.

What wellness tools or routines have you found most effective in supporting long-term mental health for your patients or yourself?

Explore our whole-person care resources and join our global network of addictions nurses: www.intnsa.org

Celebrating recovery out loud is a powerful way to reduce stigma and inspire hope!

For Week 2 of International Recovery Month, we’re honoring the milestones reached, relationships rebuilt, and lives transformed across our global community.

Sharing lived experience changes minds and saves lives. When people share their recovery journeys with employers, faith communities, neighbors, and healthcare teams, they help build recovery-ready communities where everyone can thrive.

Every recovery journey is unique, and every story shows what real recovery looks like. As addictions nurses, IntNSA is proud to stand alongside individuals in recovery, advocating for person-first care and dignity every step of the way.

How are you celebrating recovery milestones this month? Share in the comments below!

Learn more about our mission and access non-stigmatizing resources at www.intnsa.org.

Thank you to Nursing Times for highlighting the strong messages ICN brought to the first ever Network Conference this week.

As AI transforms healthcare, nurses must be visible as active partners in shaping AI design, use, and governance. Too often, we hear others speaking for nursing rather than drawing on nursing expertise directly. We must value the unique insights, leadership, and public trust nurses have and put nursing at the centre of health technology decisions.

🔗 Read the article: https://bit.ly/4xDZU4X

September marks the start of International Recovery Month, and at IntNSA, we know one fundamental truth: recovery happens together.

Whether addressing a substance use disorder or behavioral health, addiction is a complex health condition, never a moral failing or simple "abuse". True healing requires looking past a single diagnosis to care for the whole person, their mental and physical health and their need for connection. outdated terms and using person-first diagnosis help promote recovery and aim to reduce stigma.

Week 1 focuses on Community and Connection. Research shows that human connection underpins resilience and long-term recovery for anyone navigating addictions.

Recovery works best when support systems are connected. When safe recovery housing, which provides the stability people need to rebuild their lives, partners with peer support, clinical care, mental health counseling, employment services, and reentry programs, people are able to move forward.

Pathways to recovery must be accessible to everyone across the globe, no matter what form their recovery takes. By replacing judgment with compassionate, person-first care and connected community resources, we build a foundation where long-term healing is possible.

How is your global, national or local teams expanding holistic, community-based support for all paths of recovery this month?

Learn more about our global mission and access non-stigmatizing resources: www.intnsa.org

Today, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Today, we stand alongside millions globally to:
* Remember the vibrant lives tragically lost to drug overdose.
* Support the families, friends, and colleagues carrying the heavy burden of grief.
* Value people who use drugs and those in recovery, reaffirming that every human life has dignity and worth.
* Commit to evidence-based health policies, harm reduction, and accessible healthcare for all.

This year’s theme reminds us: 25 Years On. Still Needed.

While this day remains necessary today, our goal must be a future where it is not. By speaking openly, leading with empathy, and demanding evidence-based policy, we can end preventable loss.

Today, we remember. Tomorrow, we continue the work.

Read tributes, download advocacy materials, or contribute at https://www.overdoseday.com/

ICN - International Council of Nurses
American Nurses Association

What an absolute power hour!

If you missed our live roundtable, From Impact to Induction, you missed one of the most energizing conversations we’ve had all year.

Our panel — featuring FIAAN President Wendy Williams-Gilbert PhD, RN, CARN, NPD-BC, FIAAN alongside veteran Fellows Adrian Jugdoyal and Kathleen Elliott, DNP AGPCNP, and 1st-year Fellows Jordan Ferris PhD, RN, FIAAN, Chandra Speight, PhD, APRN, CNE, FIAAN, and Hassen Kefi (unfortunately, he couldn't make it) — completely pulled back the curtain on what it truly takes to shape the future of addictions nursing.

The energy in the room was electric. We talked about:
* Demystifying the journey to becoming a Fellow
* How to showcase your real-world impact (beyond just filling out a form)
* Building a portfolio that tells your leadership story
* How mentorship opens doors for the next generation of nurse leaders

If you couldn't make it live, don't worry. We’ve got you covered!

Catch the full recording here: https://youtu.be/7newKSAY3kM or scan the QR code in the graphic

What’s next? Part 2 is officially in the works!

In our upcoming follow-up session, a panel of FIAAN members will do a deep dive into the actual application process. They’ll share step-by-step how they navigated their acceptance, organized their accomplishments, and put together winning applications.

If Fellowship is anywhere on your radar, you won't want to miss Part 2. Stay tuned for registration details coming soon!

What was your biggest takeaway if you tuned in live? Drop it in the comments below!