The landscape of psychoactive substances is evolving faster than regulatory frameworks can keep pace. From semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 to kratom-derived 7-OH, tianeptine, and nitrous oxide, behavioral health professionals are increasingly encountering clients who use substances that exist in legal gray zones, carry significant health risks, and are poorly understood by both the public and many clinicians. Join Dr. Aaron Weiner for an evidence-based overview of the most prevalent unregulated and semi-regulated psychoactive substances currently available at retail outlets, including their pharmacology, health risks, addiction potential, and regulatory status. Attendees will also explore practical, motivation-based clinical strategies for engaging clients who use these substances — moving beyond fact-delivery toward values-aligned conversations that build genuine readiness for change.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this learning series, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the pharmacological mechanisms, health risks, and current legal status of at least four emerging unregulated or semi-regulated psychoactive substances, including semi-synthetic cannabinoids, kratom/7-OH, tianeptine, and nitrous oxide.
2. Explain the regulatory landscape and legislative trends shaping access to and oversight of novel psychoactive substances at the state and federal level.
3. Apply at least two evidence-informed clinical strategies — including values clarification, motivational interviewing techniques, and psychoeducation approaches — to engage clients in health-focused conversations about novel substance use.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Aaron Weiner is a board-certified Psychologist, addiction specialist, and the President of Prevention Research Institute. A leading voice on addiction, prevention, and drug policy, his expertise stems from years integrating current research into systems-level interventions, educational programming, and clinical practice workflows. A past president of the Society of Addiction Psychology, Dr. Weiner serves as an addiction policy advisor for the American Psychological Association and on the Science Advisory Board for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions. His insights have been featured in Newsweek, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, Psychology Today, and The New York Times.