SunCloud Health brings together the nation’s foremost experts in addiction medicine, eating disorders and behavioral health to share best practices.
Upcoming Courses
Obesity Is Not the Problem: De-Stigmatizing Higher Weights in the Care of Children and Adolescents
Rebekah Fenton, MD, MPH, FAAP
December 14, 2023
Obesity and related stigma have a direct impact on the practice of psychological care. Weight stigma from family members, peers via bullying, healthcare providers, or society at large through media and social media messaging can negatively impact an adolescent’s mental health, leading to low self-esteem and even diagnosed conditions, like anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. It can also significantly impact physical health by contributing to the development or worsening of eating disorders. This CME will focus on weight-neutral medical practice and will educate psychological and psychiatric providers to not only prevent further harm to patients at higher weights, but also promote healing around weight-related mental and physical health challenges.
Past Courses
Can Food Be Addictive? Relevance and Risks in Eating Disorder Treatment
Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, PhD
November 17, 2023
This illuminating webinar will delve deep into the intriguing question of food addiction, with an emphasis on its connection to eating disorders and its implications in treatment. Building on an extensive foundation of empirical literature, both from the presenter and other esteemed scholars, the session promises an engaging discussion that touches upon controversial standpoints, presenting a balanced view of the topic.
Topics to be covered
- Understanding Food Addiction through Empirical Evidence: Dive into the robust empirical data on assessing food addiction, with a spotlight on the renowned Yale Food Addiction Scale.
- Validity & Research Gaps: Unravel the efficacy of the Yale Food Addiction Scale and explore the existing gaps in the research that necessitate further investigation.
- Evidence-based Addiction Treatment Approaches: Grasp the nuances of applying proven addiction treatment methodologies within the realm of disordered eating.
- Clinical Implications: Discuss the broader clinical implications of viewing certain eating disorders through the lens of addiction.
- Assessment Tools for Health Care Integration: Receive insights into specific tools to evaluate highly processed food addiction, its clinical counterparts, and the ramifications of an addiction perspective in treatment.
Adolescent Cannabis: Modern Trends, Risks and Treatment
Alexander Chevalier, MD
November 10, 2023
The modern cannabis industry has changed the way adolescents consume marijuana, the risks associated with this, and what we can do help adolescents struggling with their cannabis use. This talk will highlight the risks specific to marijuana’s impact on the developing adolescent brain. It is designed for school counselors and social workers, treatment professionals and families with adolescents.
Food Addiction: Is it a Thing? Implications for Treating Eating Disorders?
Dr. Nicole Avena, PhD
April 21, 2023
Overeating and obesity pose significant public health problems and can have life-long co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. While there are multiple contributing factors in the obesity epidemic, recent scientific studies show overeating and obesity can be linked to alterations in the brain that resemble those seen with drug addiction. Dr. Avena will review the concept of “sugar addiction” and describe the research studies supporting behavioral indications of addiction that have been found in response to overeating highly-processed foods typically rich in added sugars.
Epigenetics and neurotoxicity of methamphetamine: an active killer during the opioid epidemic
Jean Lud Cadet, MD
June 23, 2023
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a common neuropsychiatric disease that is associated with several short-term and long-term complications. These include cognitive deficits, memory impairments, and psychosis. There is presently no FDA-approved drug treatment for MUD. Dr. Cadet’s laboratory uses basic science approaches to develop better pharmacological therapy for these patients.
From Complexity to Clarity: Expert Perspective and Integrated Treatment of PTSD, Eating Disorders, and Comorbidity
Timothy Brewerton, MD, DLFAPA, FAED, DFAACAP, CEDS-S
July 21, 2023
Dr. Timothy Brewerton combines his 40 plus years of clinical research experience and knowledge of the relevant peer-reviewed scientific data to present a synthesis that supports the major premises of the talk, including the contention that 1) EDs are linked to child maltreatment, other traumas and trauma-related comorbid disorders; 2) integrated treatment strategies that go beyond currently accepted sequential approaches are required to adequately address the complexity of ED presentations, especially in higher levels of care.
Psychedelics: Hope or Hype?
Joshua Siegel, MD, PhD
August 18, 2023
Dr. Siegel delivers a comprehensive overview of psychedelic psychopharmacology, highlighting the clinical and neuroscientific data that have fueled the burgeoning interest in psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. This enlightening presentation promises to provide valuable insights into this evolving field.
CE credits cannot be offered for this presentation.
Empowering Parents and Providers: Addressing the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Amid Cannabis Use
Kevin A. Sabet, PhD
August 30, 2023
The presentation will address the pressing issue of adolescent mental health challenges arising from cannabis and THC drug use and provide invaluable insights for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. With the growing legalization and normalization of cannabis, it is crucial to be informed about the potential impacts on adolescents. The event will delve into crucial topics, including the latest research on cannabis use and its potential effects on adolescent mental health, identifying warning signs of cannabis use in adolescents, and strategies for engaging and supporting both parents and healthcare providers in the prevention and intervention process.
Acute, Chronic and Intergenerational / Historical Trauma and the Development of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders
Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH, CEDS
September 22, 2023
Research indicates a significant relationship between various types of trauma, including historical and race-based, and the development of eating and substance use disorders. It emphasizes the critical role of assessing trauma and PTSD in treating these disorders. Early childhood trauma is found to directly impact brain neural circuitry, fostering traits like compulsivity and emotional dysregulation, fundamental to both disorders. Updated trauma definitions and studies with diverse populations show that trauma effects, passed through epigenetic changes, enhance the risk for these disorders in future generations. Ignoring trauma and PTSD leads to ineffective treatment for eating and substance use disorders, heightening relapse rates.
Joint Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Galen Mental Health. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Amedco Joint Accreditation #4008163.
