HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals (PAAP) will hold its 2026 Annual Conference, titled "Collaborations to Change," on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the Harrisburg area. The one-day event aims to unite counselors, peer specialists, clinicians, and policymakers to address the state's addiction crisis through shared strategies and training.
The conference offers up to 6.5 continuing education units (CEUs), immersive training sessions, an exhibit hall, and structured networking opportunities. It opens with a President's Welcome from PAAP President Dr. Ken Martz, followed by a morning plenary with Latika Davis-Jones and a discussion on the State of Addiction in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania featuring Jen Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and Gary Tennis, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).
Lunchtime plenaries include Dr. Martz's "Common Ground, Common Language: Treating the Heart of Addiction Together" and Bill Miller's "The Evolution of Motivational Interviewing." Breakout sessions will cover topics such as online gambling and recovery, ethical use of AI in behavioral health, moral injury, family healing, recovery capital, peer recovery support, trauma-informed care, process addictions, and gender-affirming care.
Dr. Martz emphasized the importance of breaking down silos in addiction treatment. "Pennsylvania has people doing extraordinary work in treatment, prevention, recovery support, and policy, but too often they're working in parallel instead of together," he said. "This conference is about building a common language across those roles. When we treat the emotional heart of addiction as a shared mission, our clients feel the difference."
The event comes as Pennsylvania continues to grapple with high rates of substance use and gambling disorders. By fostering collaboration among diverse professionals, PAAP aims to enhance the quality of care and support for affected individuals. Registration is open at https://paaddictionprofessionals.org. Vendor, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities are also available.
Dr. Martz, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience, serves as PAAP President, Co-Chair of NAADAC's National Policy Committee, and a member of NAADAC's Board of Directors. He is also full-time graduate psychology faculty at Purdue University Global. His latest book, "Unshakable: The Lionheart Path to Conquering Panic, Rewiring Your Brain, and Becoming the Man You Were Built to Be," offers a clinical approach to anxiety for high-performing men. More information is available at https://DrKenMartz.com.
The conference's focus on collaboration and innovation is expected to have a significant impact on Pennsylvania's addiction workforce, providing professionals with tools and knowledge to better serve their communities. As the state faces ongoing challenges with addiction and mental health, events like this are crucial for driving progress and improving outcomes.
