ASAM Practice Pearls - Addiction Care in Custody: Trust, Treatment, and Advocacy

Addiction Care in Custody: Trust, Treatment, and Advocacy

Published: August 10, 2026
Podcast Series

Overview

In this episode of ASAM Practice Pearls, Dr. Stephen Taylor hosts Dr. Justin Berk to discuss addiction care for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, including patients in custody and those transitioning back to the community. The conversation explores practical strategies for building therapeutic alliances with incarcerated patients, advocating for evidence-based treatment in correctional settings, and navigating common barriers to care. The episode covers opportunities for clinicians to provide compassionate, patient-centered care that improves outcomes for this high-risk population.

The target audience for these comprehensive level episodes includes all medication prescribers and care team members.

This session addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care and Procedural Skills, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, and Medical Knowledge.

Learning Objectives

These are the learning objectives for season 2. Not all learning objectives will be covered in every episode. 

1. Explain emerging evidence and clinical considerations for different substances to enhance assessment and support safe, effective treatment planning for individuals with substance use disorders. 
2. Apply up-to-date, evidence-based, and patient-centered strategies and guidance to enhance patient engagement, promote safety, and improve outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders across various healthcare settings. 
3. Recognize how structural, social, and cultural factors influence substance use, treatment access, and patient–clinician interactions, and implement strategies to enhance equity and deliver culturally responsive, inclusive addiction care. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered health advice.

• We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
• This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
• The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Registration Rates

*Residents, Fellows-in-training, Interns, and Students must join ASAM to receive a discounted registration rate. Click here to become an ASAM member. National and Chapter membership dues apply. There is no charge for Students to become a Member, but verification of student status is required.

Membership Question?  Call ASAM at 1.301.656.3920, email us, or view the ASAM website for more information.

Refunds & Cancellations

All ASAM eLearning Center refund requests must be made in writing to [email protected] within 90 days of purchase. Those requesting refunds for courses that are in progress will receive partial refunds or eLearning Center credit. Automatic full refunds will be made for any course with a live-course component that has been cancelled.

Registration Open: 02/09/2026 - 02/09/2029

Close Access Date: 02/09/2029 

Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity.
2. Listen to the podcast and review the show notes.
3. Click Acknowledgement, then the button Read Terms to attest that you have listened to the podcast episode in its entirety and have reviewed the show notes.
4. Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
5. Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM eLearning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.

Need Assistance?

For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please check the FAQ page or e-mail [email protected]

ASAM is proud to offer eSSENTIAL Accessibility to ensure our website is accessible and functional for all our learners while providing free assistive technology for people with the widest possible range of abilities.

Accreditation & Credits

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credits Available

• Physicians: .5 Credit
• Nurses & NPs: .5 Nursing Contact Hour
• PAs: .5 Credit
• Interprofessional Continuing Education: .5 Credit
• Certified Counselors: NBCC Contact Hours not offered
  
  American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
• NAADAC: CE Credits not offered

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)/Continuing Certification Program (CCP)

This activity is not designated for MOC/CCP points.

Certificates for other professions

All participants may request a certificate of participation upon completion of the activity and an online evaluation confirming their participation. Learners are strongly advised to contact their professional licensing board or professional association to confirm this certificate will be accepted as evidence supporting continuing education requirements.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.

The complete list of disclosures and designation statements are linked below.