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58th Annual PCA Conference
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Unraveling Mysteries of Adolescent Substance Use: Reviewing the ABCD Study Findings
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This presentation will explore some of the findings that have emerged from Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD). This National Institute of Health (NIH) study has been designed to do a deep dive into the cognitive development of the adolescent brain with some focus involving substance use. This study offers some ground breaking outcomes on the trajectory of developmental change throughout the adolescence period. The ABCD Study is the largest long-term study involving the adolescent brain ever conducted. It consists of 21 different sites across the United States and includes 11,885 child/adolescent participants. These adolescent research subjects were recruited when they were 9 or 10 years old. According to NIH, understanding the relationship between alcohol, substance use and other mental health issues in adolescents is becoming evermore critical to this understudied segment of the population. The study is attempting to track these participants throughout their adolescent years and into young adulthood. The overall aim of this research investigation is ambitious in the form of seeking to establish the baseline standards for what should be considered normal brain development. It addition to understanding substance use development in this segment of the population, it is also attempting to provide further understanding sex and gender influences involving adolescent brain development, as well as adolescent cardiovascular and hematologic health. This workshop is designed for clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, and any Counselor involved in the health, well-being, and success of children. The presentation will use study results to help contextualize issues and findings of the development of alcohol and substance use over time, and to facilitate questions and answers for attendees.  
Speakers
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Abigail Kassalen

Student, Geneva College
Ms. Kassalen is a student in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Geneva College. She earned a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University in 2023. 
avatar for Kerry Gragg, M.A., NCC, LPC

Kerry Gragg, M.A., NCC, LPC

Substance Abuse Counselor, Gateway Rehabilitation Center
Kerry Gragg is a full time substance abuse counselor for Gateway Rehabilitation Center. She has been in this role for the past few years, and has extensive experience in providing group counseling. Ms. Gragg is currently enrolled in Liberty University's Counselor Educator Education... Read More →
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James K. Matta, Ed. D., NCC, LPC

Professor, Geneva College
The primary presenter is currently the track coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, and program director, in the Master of Arts in Counseling at Geneva College. He formerly served as the Senior Research Principal at the Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
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