NYSAM 2026 Spotlights Harm Reduction, Psychiatric Care in SUD Treatment

Key Clinical Summary

• Policy-focused sessions highlighted implementation challenges and clinical implications of the 72-hour methadone rule and debates over involuntary commitment for substance use disorder (SUD).
• Case-based education emphasized practical strategies for managing psychiatric comorbidities in addiction medicine.
• Harm reduction and equity-centered discussions underscored the importance of patient trust, access expansion, and gender-specific suicide risk.

At the 2026 New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM) Annual Conference in New York, clinicians and policymakers focused on integrating evolving policy with patient-centered addiction care. Across sessions, a consistent theme emerged: improving outcomes in substance use disorder (SUD) requires alignment between regulatory frameworks, psychiatric care, and harm reduction strategies.

Session Highlights

A session on policy translation into clinical practice examined the 72-hour rule for methadone access, with Christine Khaikin, JD, and Jordana Laks, MD, outlining how federal regulations can be operationalized in clinical settings. Discussion focused on logistical barriers and opportunities to expand timely access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), particularly in emergency and acute care environments.

In a policy-focused session on involuntary commitment for SUD treatment, Regina Labelle, JD, reviewed current legal frameworks and emerging state-level approaches. Facilitated by Marco Barber Grossi, MD, the session addressed the clinical and ethical considerations surrounding mandated treatment.

Clinical management of co-occurring conditions was addressed in a case-based psychiatric workshop led by Daniel Suter, MD; Brendan Ross, MD; and James Young, MD. Presenters reviewed common dual-diagnosis scenarios and discussed pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies for managing psychiatric symptoms in patients with SUD.

A session on women’s suicide across the lifespan, presented by Jaewon Lee, MD, MPH, explored how changing life circumstances and substance use intersect to influence suicide risk. The presentation emphasized the importance of recognizing gender-specific risk factors and incorporating them into screening and prevention efforts.

Harm reduction principles were central to a session led by Judith Cole, MSN, AGPCNP-BC; Betty Lee, MSN, AGNP-BC; and Bryan Kutner, PhD, MPH. The presenters discussed clinical approaches that prioritize patient engagement and trust when working with individuals who use drugs, particularly in complex or high-risk situations.

Efforts to improve equitable access to SUD treatment in New York State were highlighted by Pamela Mund, MD; Ashly Jordan, PhD; and Sharon Stancliff, MD. The session focused on systemic barriers to care and strategies to expand access across diverse populations.

Expert Perspectives

Across sessions, speakers emphasized the growing intersection between policy and clinical practice in addiction medicine. Discussions highlighted the need for clinicians to understand regulatory changes, particularly those affecting medication access and treatment pathways for OUD.

Panelists also underscored the importance of integrating harm reduction approaches into routine care. Emphasis was placed on maintaining patient engagement, especially among individuals who may not be ready or able to pursue abstinence-based treatment.

Debate around involuntary commitment reflected ongoing uncertainty in the field, with attention to both potential clinical benefits and ethical concerns. The discussions reinforced the need for careful consideration of patient autonomy, safety, and broader public health implications.

Implications for Practice

The conference highlighted several actionable themes for clinicians, including the need to stay informed on policy changes affecting methadone access, incorporate psychiatric care into addiction treatment, and apply harm reduction principles to improve patient engagement. Addressing disparities in access and tailoring care to specific populations, including women at risk for suicide, remain critical components of comprehensive SUD management.