May 11, 2026, 1:00-4:15 PM (EST)

Session Description

This interactive workshop examines how social context shapes substance use behaviors, intervention, and pathways to help-seeking. While prevention and treatment models often emphasize individual decision-making, research consistently shows that peer norms, informal support networks, stigma, and trust in services play critical roles in whether individuals recognize risk, intervene when others are struggling, or seek formal care.

Through structured case vignettes, guided discussion, and small-group activities, attendees will apply a social-context lens to common substance use scenarios and identify strategies to strengthen prevention messaging, outreach efforts, and early engagement across settings. Time for discussion and application to participants’ own professional contexts will be included.

Learning Objectives:

Describe how peer norms, social environments, and informal networks influence substance use behaviors and help-seeking.
Identify common barriers to formal treatment engagement, including stigma, mistrust, and structural constraints.
Explain how differences in intervention readiness and help-seeking attitudes affect prevention outcomes.
Develop practical strategies to strengthen prevention and help-seeking/early engagement efforts within their own settings.

Presenter

Dr. Fortson is a postdoctoral researcher in the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, supporting various projects aimed at preventing violence and associated behavioral risk factors. She earned her PhD in Public Health from Georgia State University, along with both a Master of Public Health and a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia. Prior to her doctoral studies, she worked as a medical social worker. Her dissertation focused on multilevel factors influencing alcohol use and mental health outcomes among Black college students, as well as within-group differences in stressors, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms by institution type. Dr. Fortson’s research centers on the etiology and prevention of health inequities among marginalized populations, with a particular focus on substance misuse, mental health, and traumatic life experiences. In her free time, Dr. Fortson enjoys spending time with loved ones, winning at game nights, trying new restaurants, and attending concerts.

Questions?

Please contact Dr. Natalie Ricciutti at nricciut@charlotte.edu or 704-687-8960 if you have questions regarding the program.

Please contact Dr. Jordan Z. Boyd at jboyd44@charlotte.edu if you have questions regarding registration.