Dude Where’s My Dopamine? Increasing Dopamine Through Recreational Therapy Interventions for Substance Use Disorders

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.

For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance

For information on our On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand

Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.

Once the program is pre-approved; For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.

Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.

Note on Non-ATRA Activities:

Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.

Session Description

Substance use significantly disrupts the brain’s dopamine system, impacting motivation, reward processing, and overall well-being. This session will examine how substance use affects dopamine functioning in adults, including the extent of these changes. Participants will explore evidence-informed recreational therapy interventions that support natural dopamine regulation and promote recovery. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance engagement, motivation, and well-being in individuals in recovery.

Learning Outcomes

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Jenny Zumwalde, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

Biographical Information

Jenny Zumwalde in a Recreational Therapist for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and has been practicing in the field since 2011. She has worked in inpatient mental health facilities, skilled nursing, partial hospitalization program for Active Duty Service Members, and currently works at a residential treatment program for veterans with substance use disorders and PTSD. She completed her bachelor's degree in 2011 from East Carolina University and her master’s degree from Clemson University in 2020. She has presented at NCTRA Conference, SRTA Conference, and ATRA Annual Conference and has published her master’s research project titled “Mental Health Stigma in Active Duty Service Members” in Military Medicine in 2023. Her own hobbies include running, weightlifting, being involved with her kids sports, and going on adventures with her family.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions