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"On the Rocks" Seminar Series

PARCKA Billboard

"On the Rocks" Seminar Series

Research Seminar Series

"On the Rocks"

On the Rocks is the Greater Intermountain Node's (GIN) monthly Research Discussion Series that highlights the exceptional addiction related research happening in the Greater Intermountain Community. On the Rocks allows for interactive discussion between speakers and attendees to collaborate and share ideas about study expansion and insight. 

The series title is highlighting the beautiful Rocky Mountain views and famous Utah hiking trails just steps away from our offices!

MOST RECENT "ON THE ROCKS":

June 16, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

“On the Rocks” The NIDA CTN Greater Intermountain Node’s Research Seminar Series

Psychedelic-Assisted Interventions for Mental Health and Substance Use: Current Evidence and Emerging Directions by Yitong Xin, Ph.D.

Yitong Xin, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Her work focuses on clinical research at the intersection of mental health and substance use treatment, emphasizing harm reduction (e.g., psychedelic-assisted interventions) and strengths-based methodologies. Dr. Xin earned her Ph.D. from Ohio State University, where she trained at the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education. 

Psychedelic-assisted interventions have gained significant scientific and public attention, yet many researchers and clinicians remain unfamiliar with the current state of evidence. This presentation provides and accessible overview of psychedelic science and emerging clinical evidence across depression, trauma, and substance use, with Dr. Xin highlighting her research program's contributions across multiple populations and substances. The presentation concludes with a discussion of where the addiction research community can contribute.  

OTR June 2026

PREVIOUS "ON THE ROCKS":

2026

"Psychedelic-Assisted Interventions for Mental Health and Substance Use: Current Evidence and Emerging Directions" Yitong Xin, Ph.D. - Watch Here

2025

  • "Across the Continuum: Community-Engaged Research on Substance Use" Jordan A. Dyett, PhD, LCSW - Watch Here
  • "Cannabis: Balancing Risk and Therapeutic Potential" Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Scaling Accessible, Quality Care for Opioid Use Disorder with Advanced Community Pharmacist Roles: The PharmValue Project" Kenneth C. Hohmeier, PharmD - Watch Here
  • "Chronic Pain and Productive Activity in Post-9/11 Veterans: The Role of Separation Status, Military Occupation, and Sex Differences" Kelsee M. Stromberg, PhD, MPH - Watch Here

2024

  • "Xylazine in the Era of Synthetic Street Drugs" Fernando Montero, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Improving Care Transitions After Medical Hospitalization for People with Substance Use Disorders" Michael Incze, MD, MSEd - Watch Here

2023

  • "Randomized Clinical Trials to Enhance Smoking Cessation Treatment for African American Smokers" Babalola Faseru, MD, MPH - Watch Here
  • "The Oral History of Harm Reduction in Massachusetts" Corrine Beaugard, Gary Langis, and Anya Lance-Chacko - Watch Here
  • "Varenicline OTC Trial on Safety and Efficacy" Scott Leischow, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Urine drug testing among Medicaid enrollees initiating buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder within 9 MODRN states" Lindsey Hammerslag, PhD - Watch Here

2022

  • "A Mixed-Methods Study to Understand the Role of Community Resources in Improving Opioid-Related Outcomes" Nasser Sharareh, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Parsing the ComplexInfluences of Cannabis Useon the Brain & Behavior:Evidence from RigorousAnalyses of Large Datasets" Philip Spechler, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Tobacco-Related Disparities Among Older Adults at High Risk for Lung Cancer" Jaqueline Avila, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Smartphone-Based Intervention for Sleep Disturbance in Individuals Recovering from Alcohol Use Disorder" Tiffany Love, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Potential of Using Real-Time, Ecologically Valid Data to Understand Buprenorphine Non-Retention in the Postpartum Period" Elizabeth Charron, PhD, MPH - Watch Here
  • "Tobacco Pack Size Policies and Their Impact on Public Health" Jessica Jensen (née King), PhD, CHES - Watch Here
  • "How Words, Actions, Inactions, and Interactions May Impact the Mental Health of LGBTQIA+ Youth" Sadie Gabler, BS CCRC - Watch Here
  • "Sitting with Distress: Mindfulness-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder" Katie Witkiewitz, PhD - Recording Unavailable
  • "Looking Under the Hood: Treating Initiation and Retention of Buprenorphine Episodes During the First Year of COVID" Bradley Stein, MD, PhD, MPH - Recording Unavailable

2021

  • "Patient-centered evaluation of healthcare access and quality for individuals with substance use disorders" Taylor Kelley, MD, MPH, MSc - Watch Here
  • "The RDD study: What you need to know about Optimizing Retention, Duration and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy (CTN-0100)" Elizabeth Howell, MD, MS - Watch Here
  • "Results of a National Survey of Physical Therapists" John (Jake) Magel, PT, PhD, DScPT - Watch Here
  • "Contraceptive Provision & Use Among Women with SUD: Trends, Patterns, and Practices" Elizabeth (Betsy) Charron, PhD, MPH - Watch Here
  • "A Multi-Disciplinary, Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a VA Housing-Assistance Program" Richard Nelson, PhD - Watch Here
  • "Managing Enrollment and Retention of Veterans in the VA Healthcare System" Megan Vanneman, PhD, MPH - Watch Here
  • "The Rural Addiction Implementation Network (RAIN) Initiative" Adam Gordon, MD, MPH; Harlan Wallace, MBA, PMP; and Kayla Fritz, BS - Recording Unavailable
  • "Novel Ways to Expand Addiction Treatment within Primary Care" Michael Incze, MD MSEd - Watch Here