Live Webinar February 20th — Treating Co-Occurring Anxiety and Opioid Misuse with Dr. Kate McHugh

Friday, February 20th, 2026

12:00 PM–1:30 PM Eastern/ 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Central/ 10:00 AM–11:30 AM Mountain/ 9:00 AM–10:30 AM Pacific/ 8:00 AM–9:30 AM Alaska/8:00 AM–9:30 AM Hawaii

1.5 CE Credits Awarded

$15 Student ABCT Members / $25 ABCT Members / $35 Non-Members

Intermediate level

All prices listed in US currency

Abstract:

Anxiety and opioid misuse commonly co-occur across the continuum of severity, ranging from opioid medication misuse through severe opioid use disorder. Management of these co-occurring conditions is challenged by interacting symptoms and the influence of substance-related risks and effects on treatment mechanisms (e.g., fear extinction learning). The overarching goal of this presentation is to provide guidance for providers in recognizing and treating this co-occurrence, including management of common treatment challenges and collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams. Attendees will learn about specific assessment and treatment strategies as well as practical tips for addressing potential conflicts between behavioral therapy approaches for anxiety and substance misuse. 

Presenter Biography:

Dr. Kate McHugh is the Director of the Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use Laboratory at McLean Hospital and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Boston University. Dr. McHugh's research focuses on the nature and treatment of substance use and other psychiatric disorders. Her work is currently funded by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and she has published more than 200 manuscripts and book chapters as well as an edited book published by Oxford University Press. She is a recipient of a number of awards, including the Ann M. Cataldo Excellence in Mentoring Award. Dr. McHugh is a practicing clinical psychologist, specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of anxiety, depressive, and substance use disorders. 

At the end of the webinar, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe 3 models of the development of co-occurring anxiety and opioid misuse. 
2. List at least 2 tools for identifying and measuring opioid misuse.
3. Identify behavioral therapy strategies for managing co-occurring anxiety and opioid misuse.
4. Describe at least 1 clinical consideration for balancing exposure therapy targets with effective management of high-risk situations for opioid use. 
5. Identify common clinical challenges and possible solutions for these challenges.

Recommended Readings:

• Langdon KJ, Dove K, Ramsey S. Comorbidity of opioid-related and anxiety-related symptoms and disorders. Curr Opin Psychol. 2019 Dec;30:17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.020. Epub 2019 Jan 4. PMID: 30711906; PMCID: PMC6609499.
• McHugh RK, Fitzmaurice GM, Votaw VR, Geyer RB, Ragnini K, Greenfield SF, Weiss RD. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and opioid use disorder: Development and pilot testing. J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2024 May;160:209296. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209296. Epub 2024 Jan 24. PMID: 38272120; PMCID: PMC11060910.
• Wakeman SE, Larochelle MR, Ameli O, Chaisson CE, McPheeters JT, Crown WH, Azocar F, Sanghavi DM. Comparative Effectiveness of Different Treatment Pathways for Opioid Use Disorder. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Feb 5;3(2):e1920622. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.20622. Erratum in: JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2419798. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19798. PMID: 32022884; PMCID: PMC11143463.

****************************************

All attendees will receive a certificate of completion when the course requirements are satisfied.

*************************

For more information, contact:

Rachel Greeman, ABCT Web Manager
212-647-1890 ext. 208
rgreeman@abct.org*************************