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Arkansas Association of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
Committed to Professional Growth Through Service, Education, And Training
HomeFall Workshop

COME JOIN US AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

AS WE CELEBRATE 49 YEARS OF SERVICE AND FELLOWSHIP!

 

October 26 - 30, 2026

REGISTRATION IS LIVE


 


WORKSHOP TOPICS     


Plenary Speaker: Tricia Clem, MA   
                                                          Executive Director, NAMI Arkansas
Permission to Be Human: Burnout Risk, Recognition, and Resilience Strategies for Helping Professionals

Two Tracks: Clinical and Peer Support Specialist
Topics include:  Co-Occurring Ethics, Peer Support Specialist Ethics, Burnout & Resilience, Counseling Theories and Practice and more….22 Hours of CEUs to choose from across all tracks! (max CEUs available per day vary from 6-8)


In addition to Tricia Clem, Executive Director, NAMI Arkansas, the 2026 Fall Workshop Faculty include:
Susan Bratcher-Smith, LCSW-S, BCD, ICAADC, CS 

Les Cupp, ADC, CS, PRPS
Melissa Diller, ADC, E-RYT 500, YACEP, NBC-HWC, RRT
Stacey Franks, PRPS
Laura Mergele, TBR, TBR-VE Certified Trainer UALR MIDSOUTH
Carlotta Powell CS-D, ADC, NCPRSS, SAP
Summer Prado, LPC, LADAC, ICCS, ICADC, SAP

Melinda Smith, BS, IADC, CS


Standby for additional information on our 2026 Faculty!

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RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR DEGRAY LAKE RESORT

 

  • TO MAKE RESERVATIONS PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
  • USE AAADAC REGISTRATION CODE 1012180 TO GET THE DISCOUNT AAADAC RATE  (GOOD TIL 25 SEP 2026. Does Not apply to Yutes or Travel Trailer Reservations)
  • ROOMS HAVE 2 QUEEN BEDS OR 1 KING. 
  • Resort Room View:  $117 a night ; Lake View : $147 a night.
  • CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: DEGRAY LAKE RESORT  TO SEE ROOM OPTIONS AND AVAILABILITY TO BOOK ONLINE or CALL THE LODGE AT 1-501-865-5810, OPTION 1.


FOR THOSE WHO ARE BRINGING YOUR OWN LODGING (Travel Trailer)

CHECK OUT Travel Trailer Campsite.  Check with the Visitor's Center for any discounts you may be eligible for.

 

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2026 AAADAC ANNUAL AWARDS

 29 October 2026
 
Presentation of Awards Will Take Place at the

    AAADAC Annual Membership Meeting

    DeGray Lake Resort, Bismarck, AR

Click on the following link to download and complete the nomination packet
Remember, Nominees Must Be Members of AAADAC



Our Annual Awards banquet will be
Thursday, October 29th, 2026

Nominations are being accepted for the following awards:


Dr. David Powell Memorial Award 
Charlotte Besch Outstanding Years of Service
Counselor of the Year

Peer Support Specialist of the Year

New Counselor of the Year

New Peer Support Specialist of the Year 


** All nominations for Annual Awards must be received by **

Wednesday September 30th, 2026.


Award winners will be notified by

Monday, October 5th, 2026


Award winners + 1 guest, Paid Lodging

Scholarship for Thursday Workshop Seminars
Award (Physical and Monetary)

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2026 AAADAC Fall Workshop Scholarships Available


Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Fall Workshop this October at DeGray Lake Resort, Bismarck, Arkansas.  


Workshop Dates

26-30 October 2026


Scholarship Applicants will be Needed Sunday 25 Oct – Friday 30 Oct 2026 to help with Set Up and Tear Down/Clean-up of the Seminar Locations, Presenter Support, Audio/Visual Support, Refreshment Areas in both locations and of course The AAADAC Bookstore.  


Applications are being accepted now through 30 Sep 2026.


Please click on the following button to download an application to mail, fax or email to AAADAC by the closure date.

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Handouts and Power Point Presentations will be posted below within 1-2 days after the Workshop takes place
MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2026: A small peak at Training from the BACK of the Room
Laura Mergele, TBR, TBR-VE Certified Trainer, UALR MIDSOUTH
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TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2026:  AVOIDING ETHICAL HELL
Susan Bratcher Smith LCSW-S, BCD, ICAADC, CS
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TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2026: PEER ETHICS & MORE
Stacey Franks, PRPS

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TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2026: (Evening) Therapeutic Expression: Mindfulness through Sculpting
Melinda Smith, BS, IADC, CS, SAP
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WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2026: The Role of Peers and Integrating into a Clinical Team
Les Cupp, ADC, CS, PRPS
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WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2026: Role & Challenges of a Peer Support Specialist 
Carlotta Powell, ADC, CS, PRPS, SAP 

 

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WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2026: (Evening)  Trauma-Informed Yoga, Meditation, and  Breathwork
Melissa Diller, ADC, E-RYT 500, YACEP, NBC-HWC, RRT
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THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2026: Permission to Be Human: Burnout Risk, Recognition, and Resilience Strategies for Helping Professionals
Tricia Clem, MA,  Executive Director of NAMI Arkansas

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FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2026: Theories and Practice
Summer Prado, LPC, LADAC, ICCS, ICADC, SAP

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