An International Virtual Conference on “Behavioral Addiction and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs): Current Nursing Practices” was organised by the Geetanjali College of Nursing, Geetanjali University, Udaipur, from 28-29 January 2022. The two day event also incorporated a pre-conference Debate Competition on Social Networking and Gaming. A workshop on “Assessment and Motivational Interviewing Skills Training” was also a part of the two day event.

This event was organised by Geetanjali College and School of Nursing in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services, Nursing Division, Ministry of Health and family welfare and D.Y. Patil University, School of Nursing, New Mumbai in collaboration with John-Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Association of Indian Nurses of Arizona – USA,  RAK College of Nursing, DU and ECHO-India. About 800 delegates at National and International level including faculty and students of GCN were registered The participants were inspired to become catalysts for change in early detection of behavioral addictions (BA) and its recovery process.

This conference took the delegates on a journey to support people with BA and SUDs, with stalwarts and eminent speakers from prestigious institutions in India as well as from USA, UK, Norway, Caribbean, West Indies, Australia, Barbados, Trinidad-UWI and India.  

Dr. Yogeshwar Puri Goswami (Principal, Geetanjali College of Nursing) secured first position under research category paper presentation.

Dr. Fateh Singh Mehta, Vice Chancellor of Gitanjali University, in his address, Congratulate Dr. Sandhya Ghai, Dean, Geetanjali College and School of Nursing, for organizing the International Virtual Conference. He emphasized the role of nurses in the prevention of increasing behavioral addiction and substance use disorders among the youth nowadays.  Dr. Mayur Rawal, Registrar Geetanjali University, while presiding over the debate competition on Gaming, highlighted the importance of awareness program on “Behavioral Addiction and Substance Abuse Disorder".

Dr. Sandhya took a plenary session on “Disordered use of social media among Adolescents: Harmful implications”, chaired keynote address and poster presentation, and a feedback session.

Poser and Oral Research Papers were presented on Behavioral Addictions, Gaming addiction, Internet-use disorder, Shopping Addiction (Online and Offline), Substance Use Disorders (SUD’s)-alcohol, tobacco, opioids, cannabis, Treatment Models for behavioral addictions and SUDs, and Nurse-led initiatives, ABD and SUDs. Dr. Yogeshwar Puri Goswami (Principal, Geetanjali College of Nursing) secured first position under research category paper presentation.

Faculty and students extended their gratitude to Prof (Dr.) Sandhya Ghai for taking initiative in organizing this conference at Geetanjali University. Under the guidance of Professor (Dr.) Sandhya Ghai, Dean (Nursing) of Geetanjali College and School of Nursing, Professor (Dr.) Yogeshwar Puri Goswami (Principal (GCSN), Professor Dinesh Kumar Sharma (HOD Mental Health Nursing Department), Mr. Akash Chavda (Associate Professor), Mr. Devnarayan (Assistant Professor), Mahima Patrick (Lecturer) and Kamlesh Menaria (Lecturer)  made invaluable and outstanding contribution as Chairman and Co-Chairman in various sessions during this international virtual conference.