Substance Use Disorder Update 2022

Amanda J. Simonton, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Texas Child Study Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2013 and previously worked in the Intermediate Care Unit at Seton Medical Center Austin and the Psychiatric Emergency Department at University Medical Center Brackenridge. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she has primarily worked with adults with dual-diagnosed (substance use and mental health) disorders and with children and adolescents. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (’13), Master of Science in Nursing (’18), and Doctor of Philosophy (’20) through the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin. She is active in presenting at the annual conferences for Texas Nurse Practitioners and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. She is currently on the Policy Council for Texas Nurse Practitioners and the President-Elect on the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Texas Chapter Board of Directors. Dr. Simonton is also a member of two steering committees, which focus on the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar depression, for Medscape Inc. Her research and clinical interests are to improve the lives of individuals with substance use disorders and serious mental illness by utilizing evidence-based care and best practices in the field of psychiatry and psychology.

Disclosure: Dr. Simonton has the following relevant financial relationships, potential or perceived, with commercial or conflicts of interest to disclose: