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Thelma McMillen Frontiers in Addiction Lecture Series

Integrated Treatment for Eating Disorders and Co-occurring Substance Abuse

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 9 - 10:30AM

Event Registration

This presentation explores the shared characteristics and risk factors contributing to the development and maintenance of both eating disorders (EDO) and substance use disorders (SUD). We will examine key EDO indicators that may emerge during the treatment of SUD, equipping providers to better recognize and respond to these signs.

This presentation will address the influence of professional bias that can shadow accurate diagnosis and effective intervention. Additionally, we will review evidence-based modalities shown to be effective in the treatment of co-occurring EDO and SUD. We hope to improve clinical awareness, reduce stigma, and promote more comprehensive and compassionate treatment for individuals facing these co-occurring issues.

Presenter Bios:

Kelly Blasco, RD

Kelly is the program dietitian for the Residential Extended Care and Outpatient Program at Ocean Recovery and focuses primarily on helping people struggling with eating disorders overcome their challenges. She received her bachelor's degree in nutrition and Dietetics from California State University Los Angeles and went on to work inpatient psych and outpatient HIV before beginning her work in treating eating disorders.

At Ocean Recovery, Kelly strives to bring equilibrium to her patients transitioning into treatment, and works to broaden their experiences with food and eating as they move forward in their recovery. She finds great joy in observing her patients become courageous enough to battle their fears and begin enjoying life.

Brooke Huffstetler, MS, LMFT, SEP

Brooke is a licensed marriage and family therapist and somatic experiencing practitioner. She has been working in the field of chemical dependency since 2011 and has been on staff with Ocean Recovery since 2014. Brooke works to help each individual to access his or her own sense of agency over their own bodies and lives. She believes people have everything they need within themselves to move towards healing. Her hope is to help her clients find their innate ability to heal. To this end, she integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques including principals from Somatic Experiencing (SE), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and the Twelve Steps.

Brooke received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Bucknell University and her master's degree in counseling at CSU Fullerton. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, substance, abuse, trauma, and mood disturbances. In graduate school she assisted Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, Ph.D. in updating his book Learning Group Leadership: An Experiential Approach, and has carried her passion for group therapy in her work at Ocean Recovery.

Objectives - Upon completion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify two shared characteriscs and shared risk factors for co-occurring EDO and SUD
  • Identify three signs of untreated/active EDO in treatment of SUD
  • Identify potential professional biases that can hinder identification and treatment of EDO
  • Identify two effective treatments

EARN 1.5 CE Credit Hours

To be added to our mailing list, please contact jamie.gelbart@tmmc.com. Participants will receive an email link to register for each presentation.