Power of Hope Conference

Impacting the substance use crisis through hope and education

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) is excited to host the first annual one-day Power of Hope conference on November 2, 2023 in Phoenix! We want to bring together people from various communities with a personal and/or professional connection to substance use disorder (SUD). We can highlight the importance of restoration of our loved ones and their families affected by this disease by engaging the spectrum of recovery and being change agents around this issue. Through best practice methods, we are confident that we can foster change and build a network of like-minded individuals and organizations.

Those who attend will be a part of a daylong event designed to attract individuals, parents, business leaders, counselors, treatment centers, social workers, public health leaders, and religious communities—anyone who has a loved one or knows someone who has battled with substance use disorder.

The conference will feature a variety of elements including recognized feature speakers, breakout sessions, interactive activities, evidence-based research, and educational and networking opportunities.

Together we can impact the substance use crisis through hope and education by unifying the community to be change agents, to transform lives, and to take a well-rounded approach to recovery.

Note: Please register in advance as we are unable to accommodate on-site registration.

November 2, 2023

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

North Phoenix Baptist Church

5757 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012

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Thirteen people die every hour of an overdose in this country, an average of 304 people day, according to US Centers for Disease Control 2023.

The estimated cost of drug abuse in the United States—including illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco—is more than $520 billion a year and growing.

Substance abuse in the U.S. costs society in increased healthcare costs, crime, and lost productivity.

One in 12 American adults have a substance use disorder.

Featured Speaker

Dr. Kevin Leman

Internationally known Christian psychologist, award-winning author and New York Times bestselling author of Have a New Kid by Friday, radio and television personality, and speaker, Dr. Kevin Leman has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and common-sense psychology.

Dr. Kevin Leman has made house calls for hundreds of radio and television programs and he is a former consulting psychologist to Good Morning America.

Dr. Leman is the founder and chairman of the board of LEMAN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE and author of over 60 books.

Dr. Leman is the recipient of the University of Arizona’s Alumni Achievement Award and North Park University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award (1993). Dr. Leman’s professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.

Dr. Leman attended North Park University and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona, where he later earned his master’s and Doctorate degrees. Originally from Williamsville, New York, he and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson. They have five children and four grandchildren.

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Featured Speaker

Dr. Holly Geyer

Holly L. Geyer, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Medicine and consultant in the Division of Hospital Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic. She is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and serves as chair of the Opioid Stewardship Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona as well as serving as Medical Director of Occupational Health.

She is a national speaker on the topics of opioids and addiction and has authored more than 120 journal articles, book chapters and abstracts related to opioids, quality of life and cancer. She is the author of the leading patient-focused book, “Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use” which offers tangible information on pain, use of opioids and management of opioid-related complications including addiction. Dr. Geyer serves as a reviewer for prominent scientific publications and is actively involved in public advocacy efforts as well as legislation addressing the opioid crisis. She has held positions with the Arizona Medical Association Legislative Committee and assisted with state law development on opioids. She also works with other state agencies including the Arizona Department of Health to guide opioid response efforts. Dr. Geyer partners with national healthcare organizations including the American Hospital Association (AHA) the American Society of Hematology and the Society of Hospital Medicine to provide public and prescriber education. She resides in Arizona with her husband and 3 girls.

Featured Speaker

Dr. Don Middleton

Dr. Don Middleton is a board-certified Family Physician who worked for over twenty years in private practice. He started and directed the Family practice clinic at Midwestern University where he also served as Co-division director and was appointed to assistant professor.

Dr. Middleton currently works in addiction medicine at the internationally renowned Meadows Behavioral Health in Wickenburg, Arizona, and is medical director at a series of men’s health clinics called Vital 4 Men.

He has authored the book “The Dunamis Effect: When Jesus is your higher power,” a Christian 12-step addiction recovery book and workbook and is director of the supporting non-profit organization.

He serves on the Arizona Osteopathic Board of Trustees, on the board of directors for Crossroads Rehabilitation of Arizona, and as Medical Director of medical missions at Christ Church of the Valley.

Don Has lived most of his life in the Valley, has been married to Dr. Tracy Middleton for over 30 years, has 4 children and 2 amazing grandchildren.

Dr. Nora Volkow

Hear from Nora D. Volkow, M.D. who is Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health. NIDA is the world’s largest funder of research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. Dr. Volkow’s work has been instrumental in demonstrating that drug addiction is a brain disorder. As a research psychiatrist, Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate how substance use affects brain functions. In particular, her studies have documented that changes in the dopamine system affect the functions of frontal brain regions involved with reward and self-control in addiction. She has also made important contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD, and aging.