A Taste of Poison: Alcohol Risk Research and New Use Patterns
- Topic Areas:
- Alcohol Use | Substance Use & Addiction
- Bundle(s):
- 2025 Substance Use Training
- Categories:
- Live Webinar
- Speaker:
- Kurt L. White, LICSW, LADC, CGP, MAC
- Course Levels:
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Duration:
- 3 Hours 15 Minutes
- License:
- Never Expires.
Producer: VPA/Brattleboro Retreat
Description
In this course, the speaker will review current research detailing the physical (including cancer and cardiovascular risks), mental, and social harms linked to a continuum of levels of alcohol use, moving beyond outdated notions of "safe" thresholds to embrace a more nuanced understanding of risk continua, as reflected in recent public health guidance shifts in Canada and elsewhere. The course will focus on the therapeutic implications of both new trends and emerging understandings of risk, and applying harm-reduction principles to support client-driven goals. The aim is to equip clinicians with the latest evidence and practical skills to confidently address alcohol use within the context of mental healthcare.
Credits
Vermont
3 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists, and is also approved by the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners to sponsor continuing education for psychologists licensed in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics:
Cultural Competency:
Continuing education courses sponsored by the Vermont Psychological Association are pre-approved by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation for continuing education credit for licensed independent clinical social workers in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types;
Ethics:
Cultural Competency:
Continuing education courses sponsored by the Vermont Psychological Association are pre-approved by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health for continuing education credit for licensed clinical mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types:
Ethics:
Cultural Competency:
This continuing education course has been approved by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, , for licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors in Vermont.
Connecticut
3 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Connecticut accepts these credits for continuing education for psychologists in Connecticut pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-191c(b). This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Veterans' Mental Health:
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing educaiton for psychologists. Based on this approval, this course is pre-approved for credit for Connecticut licensed professional counselors under Conn. Agencies Regs § 20-195cc-3(a)(1). This course is intended to qualify for mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics:
Veterans' Mental Health:
Massachusetts
3 CE Credits for Psychologists & LMHCs
3.6 CE Credits for LCSWs
3CE Credits for LMHCs
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists accepts credits earned from courses sponsored by APA-approved sponsors as indicated in 251 C.M.R. §§ 4.02, 4.03.
As a course sponsored by an APA-approved CE sponsor, this course qualifies for credit for clinical social workers and certified social workers in Massachusetts under 258 CMR sec 31.04(2)(d).
The Vermont Psychological Association (VPA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7610. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. VPA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
New Hampshire
3 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor live continuing education for psychologists. The New Hampshire Board of Psychologists accepts credits earned from courses sponsored by APA-approved sponsors as indicated in Psyc § 402.01(d)(11). This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics:
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education to psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for clinical social workers licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credits:
Ethics:
Suicide Prevention:
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education to psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for clinical mental health counselors licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credits:
Ethics:
Suicide Prevention:
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for marriage and family therapists; pastoral psychotherapists; and school social workers licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). The course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types:
Ethics:
Suicide Prevention:
New York
3 CE Contact Hours
The Vermont Psychological Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0210. This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated continuing education topics as follows:
Ethics:
Professional Boundaries:
Other States Accepting Credits from APA-Approved Sponsors
3 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor live continuing education for psychologists. The Vermont Psychological Association maintains responsibility for its programs and their content. Psychologists and other professionals licensed in states whose respective licensing boards approve continuing education offered by APA-approved sponsors may earn continuing education credits for this course.
Other States Accepting Credits from NBCC-Approved Sponsors
3 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association (VPA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7610. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. VPA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Speaker

Kurt L. White, LICSW, LADC, CGP, MAC Related Seminars and Products
Vice President of Community Partnerships, Communications, & Development
Brattleboro Retreat
Kurt L. White is the Vice President of Community Partnerships, Communications, & Development at the Brattleboro Retreat, a private, non-profit psychiatric hospital founded in 1834. He is a clinical social worker by training, and he continues to practice with individuals, families, and groups in addition to his other duties. Mr. White is an adjunct faculty member at Smith College School for Social Work, where he teaches a variety of courses about individual and group psychotherapy. He is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.
Mr. White is recognized as a Master Addiction Counselor by NAADAC, the organization for addiction professionals, and is a past president of the Vermont Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. His interests include group psychotherapy, psychodynamic theory and practice, anti-oppression practice in clinical and agency settings, addiction and co-occurring issues, and the emerging field of psychedelic psychotherapy.
Course Objectives
Objective 1 Describe current scientific evidence on the range of physical, mental, and social health risks associated with different levels of alcohol consumption, including the links to cancer and cardiovascular issues.Objective 2 Identify the therapeutic implications of problematic or risky alcohol use for mental health treatment, including common co-occurring conditions and potential impacts on client progress.
Objective 3 Apply evidence-based screening tools and brief intervention techniques, grounded in motivational interviewing principles to effectively address alcohol use with clients.
Objective 4 Utilize compassionate, non-stigmatizing communication strategies to discuss alcohol risks, support client autonomy, and collaboratively develop harm reduction or behavior change goals.