Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals

08/15/2026

Check out the recap of the 2026 VSIAS!

This year’s conference brought together addiction professionals, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and partners from across the field for several days of learning, connection, and professional growth.

Guided by the theme A Clinical Vision: Innovation, Access, Hope, VSIAS 2026 offered timely training, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to strengthen the addiction workforce across Virginia and beyond.

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Email from VA Summer Institute for Addiction Studies Thank you for being part of an inspiring week in Williamsburg! Another Successful VSIAS: The 2026 Conference Recap This year’s conference brought t

07/20/2026

VSIAS 2026 is in full swing!

From engaging sessions and thoughtful conversations to busy exhibitor tables and new connections being made throughout the conference, it has been wonderful to see so many addiction, behavioral health, prevention, recovery, and community professionals learning and connecting in Williamsburg.

Thank you to our presenters, exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and partners for bringing such energy, curiosity, and engagement to this year’s event.

We’re grateful to have this community together for several days of education, collaboration, and professional growth — and we’re looking forward to all that is still ahead!

07/20/2026

Statement on the Inclusion of Kratom Education at VSIAS

The Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals (VAAP) has always been committed to providing education on emerging and relevant issues that impact addiction counselors, therapists, peer recovery specialists, and the individuals they serve. Throughout our history, we have presented educational sessions on topics that have generated discussion and differing viewpoints within the field, including alcohol moderation, medications for opioid use disorder such as buprenorphine (Suboxone), harm reduction, and other evolving approaches to addiction treatment.

This year is no different.

Our conference includes a presentation on kratom because it is increasingly being discussed and, in some settings, utilized by individuals as a form of self-directed or alternative treatment. The purpose of this presentation is to educate attendees on an issue they are likely to encounter in practice, not to promote or endorse its use.

VAAP, its Board of Directors, and the Virginia Summer Institute for Addiction Studies (VSIAS) do not necessarily support or endorse the use of kratom as a treatment for substance use disorders. Rather, we believe it is important for addiction professionals to have access to current information so they can critically evaluate the evidence and engage in informed discussions.

The presentation will be delivered by John Shinholser, and Erin Berthold, PhD, who bring experience and expertise in the field. As with all conference presentations, the views expressed are those of the presenter and should not be interpreted as the official position of VAAP.

It is also important to recognize VAAP’s longstanding commitment to protecting Virginians through advocacy initiatives. VAAP has actively supported legislative and regulatory initiatives aimed at increasing oversight of kratom products, including stronger penalties for sales to individuals under the age of 21, restrictions on marketing and branding practices, requirements regarding product placement within retail establishments, and limits on the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine in kratom products. The VAAP Position Statement on Kratom is available on the VAAP webpage: https://vaaddictionpros.org/positions-and-advocacy/

VAAP recognizes that kratom remains a controversial topic. We believe that providing education on controversial issues is part of our responsibility as a professional association. We endorse open and fulsome discussions, even on controversial topics, and believe these conversations are an important step in encouraging growth, learning, and progress in our profession. Presenting information on a topic should not be interpreted as an endorsement of that topic or its use. Our mission is to foster informed, evidence-based dialogue that enables addiction professionals to provide the highest quality care to those they serve.

Elevating the voices of Virginia’s addiction professionals is an important VAAP goal.This page serves as a platform to publish VAAP positions and to permit members to submit positions for consideration. Whether we’re responding to legislation, sharing principles that shape our work, or amplifyin...

07/13/2026

We’re excited to recognize Warriors Heart as a Bronze Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

Warriors Heart is a specialized behavioral health and addiction treatment provider serving active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders. Through a comprehensive continuum of care that includes medical detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, and trauma-informed therapies, they provide individualized support designed to help those who serve achieve lasting recovery and renewed well-being.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to advancing high-quality behavioral healthcare and strengthening Virginia’s recovery and treatment workforce.

Thank you, Warriors Heart, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

07/03/2026

We’re excited to recognize Mainspring Recovery as a Silver Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

Mainspring Recovery provides a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment services, including withdrawal management, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and medication-assisted treatment. Their person-centered, evidence-based approach is designed to support individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders as they work toward lasting recovery.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to advancing high-quality addiction treatment and strengthening Virginia’s recovery workforce.

Thank you, Mainspring Recovery, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

06/22/2026

We’re excited to recognize Master Center for Addiction Medicine as a Gold Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP community partner.

Master Center provides comprehensive outpatient addiction and behavioral healthcare services for individuals facing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Through medication-assisted treatment, counseling, psychiatric services, peer recovery support, and care coordination, their multidisciplinary team is dedicated to delivering evidence-based care that promotes recovery, stability, and improved quality of life.

Their support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to effective treatment services and strengthening the network of professionals working to address substance use and mental health challenges across Virginia.

Thank you, Master Center, for your support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

06/10/2026

We’re excited to recognize Epic Health Partners, LLC as a Gold Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

EPIC Health Partners provides a broad continuum of behavioral health and substance use services designed to support individuals and families across a range of needs. Through outpatient treatment, community-based programs, crisis services, and recovery-focused care, their team is committed to promoting wellness, stability, and positive long-term outcomes.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the recovery and treatment workforce across Virginia.

Thank you, EPIC Health Partners, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

06/08/2026

We’re excited to recognize Faith Recovery as a Platinum Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

Faith Recovery Hope is a peer-led recovery organization committed to empowering individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Through recovery coaching, peer support services, advocacy, education, and community outreach, they inspire hope, build meaningful connections, and help individuals achieve lasting recovery.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS demonstrates a shared dedication to advancing recovery services and strengthening Virginia’s behavioral health and treatment workforce.

Thank you, Faith Recovery Hope, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

06/04/2026

We’re excited to recognize BeBold Recovery as a Bronze Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

BeBold Recovery provides outpatient behavioral health and substance use treatment services, offering individualized care for clients navigating addiction and co-occurring mental health needs. Their programming emphasizes accessible, evidence-based support designed to meet individuals where they are in their recovery journey.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the recovery and treatment workforce across Virginia.

Thank you, BeBold Recovery, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.

06/02/2026

We’re excited to recognize Richmond Behavioral Health Authority as a Silver Exhibitor at VSIAS 2026—and a valued VAAP Community Partner.

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority is a public behavioral health organization providing comprehensive mental health, substance use, developmental, crisis intervention, and prevention services to individuals and families throughout the Richmond region. Their work spans multiple levels of care, supporting access to treatment, stabilization services, and long-term recovery resources.

Their continued partnership with VAAP and support of VSIAS reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the recovery and treatment workforce across Virginia.

Thank you, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you in Williamsburg this July.