introducing our new venue in 2026: The Hotel Polaris

The Advanced International Winter Symposium on Addictive Disorders, Behavioral Health, and Mental Health has provided addiction specialists, counselors, and behavioral health professionals with world-class education and training for 51 years. This symposium creates unprecedented opportunities to share knowledge, perspectives, and cutting edge research. 

The Winter Symposium has been privately owned and operated by Dr. Gary G. Forrest, Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Addictions Expert, for 51 years. 

The 2025 Winter Symposium attracted 1,400 attendees, including 27 Educational Supporters and 120 Exhibitors. 

The 2026 Winter Symposium includes exhibits, plenaries, and networking opportunities related to: 

• Suicide prevention
• Substance use disorders 
• Family therapy
• Ethics training
• Self care and partnering with peers
• Trauma therapy 
• Integrative care 
• Mindfulness in recovery
• Depression and bipolar disorder 
• Peer recovery support

Our attendees include many of the most esteemed addictions specialists, behavioral, and mental health practitioners including: 

• Addiction treatment providers
• Mental health providers 
• Military and state agencies 
• Residential and outpatient providers 
• Psychologists 
• Psychiatrists
• Addiction Medicine Specialists  
• LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, LACs, EAPs