AMERSA

What AMERSA does

AMERSA (Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction) is a private nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in Charlestown, Rhode Island, with a stated operating base of one to ten employees (three named staff: an Executive Director, a Membership & Operations Manager, and an Administrative Assistant). The organization's mission is to improve health and wellbeing through multidisciplinary leadership in substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy. AMERSA's membership is open to peer recovery specialists, nurses, social workers, physicians, pharmacists, counselors, researchers, educators, and policymakers, with three published annual dues tiers of $325 (Full), $175 (Special Rate), and $75 (Student). Members receive free online access to the peer-reviewed Substance Use & Addiction Journal (SAj), mentorship matching, voting rights, committee participation, and discounted conference registration.

AMERSA's core product portfolio centers on the SAj journal (published quarterly by Sage Publishing, impact factor 2.8, approximately 2,800 annual citations, 25% acceptance rate, 30-day average time to first editorial decision), the AMERSA Talks podcast series, expert-led webinars and workshops, a curated resources library (SUD 101, MOUD guides, perinatal care toolkit, peer-focused resources), a mentorship program, twelve Special Interest Groups across disciplines, and the annual National Conference (50th edition scheduled for November 2026). The organization also publishes formal position statements on harm reduction, methadone access, overdose prevention centers, drug policy, telemedicine, and racial equity. The technology footprint is intentionally lean: membership management runs on GrowthZone, manuscript submission and peer review on ScholarOne, and journal publication and distribution through Sage Publishing. There is no proprietary technology platform, no mobile application, and no public API.

Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, conference registration fees, journal subscriptions distributed via Sage Publishing, federal grants from SAMHSA (cooperative agreement grants 1H79TI086770, 1H79TI088037, 1H79TI083343 supporting PCSS-MOUD and the Opioid Response Network), and donations. AMERSA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with leadership drawn from leading academic institutions including the University of Pittsburgh, UCSF, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, the University of Utah, Boston Medical Center, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. The organization maintains active social channels on Bluesky, LinkedIn, and X, and operates entirely without parent company, equity sponsorship, or subsidiary structure.

Name

AMERSA

Legal name

AMERSA, Inc. (Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction)

Website

https://amersa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AMERSA is a nonprofit professional membership association advancing substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy through a peer-reviewed journal, annual conference, multidisciplinary community, and SAMHSA-funded training programs for healthcare professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAE

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Substance use education
• Professional association
• Addiction research
• Medical membership
• Healthcare conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlestown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at three tiers: Full Membership ($325), Special Rate Membership ($175 for retirees and those not highly compensated), and Student Membership ($75 for those enrolled at least 3/4 time). Members receive free online access to SAj journal, mentorship matching, voting rights, committee participation, and discounted conference registration.
2. Conference Registration: Annual national conference generates revenue through registration fees. Members receive discounted rates. Conference includes plenaries, oral presentations, workshops, and networking sessions.
3. Journal Subscriptions: SAj is published quarterly by Sage Publishing on behalf of AMERSA. Non-members can subscribe through Sage Publishing. Members receive free online access.
4. Grants and Funding: AMERSA receives grant funding from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for various initiatives including PCSS-MOUD and ORN partnerships. Multiple grants referenced including 1H79TI086770, 1H79TI088037, 1H79TI083343.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AMERSA is a multidisciplinary professional membership association that delivers substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy advocacy through tiered individual memberships, a peer-reviewed journal (Substance Use & Addiction Journal), an annual national conference, podcasts, webinars, and resource toolkits for clinicians, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the addiction field.

Product overview

AMERSA (Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction) is a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of educational products and services centered on substance use education, research, and care. The core offerings include the peer-reviewed Substance Use & Addiction Journal (SAj), the AMERSA Podcast Series (AMERSA Talks), webinars and workshops, and an annual national conference. Supporting products include AMERSA Resources (toolkits and training materials), a Mentorship Program, Special Interest Groups, Conference Resources, and Annual Recognition Awards. Membership provides access to journal subscriptions, conference discounts, mentor matching, and committee participation. The portfolio is delivered through third-party platforms including GrowthZone for membership management and ScholarOne for journal manuscript submissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Substance Use & Addiction Journal (SAj): AMERSA's peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing research on substance use and substance use disorders
• AMERSA Talks Podcast
• AMERSA Annual National Conference

Products and services

• Substance Use & Addiction Journal (SAj) AMERSA's peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing original research, reviews, commentaries, and case reports on substance use and addiction. Published quarterly by Sage Publishing; free online access for AMERSA members and subscription access for non-members.
• AMERSA Podcast Series (AMERSA Talks) Podcast series featuring conversations on substance use care across multiple tracks including 'Frontiers in Substance Use Care,' 'Stigma and Substance Use,' 'Substance Use Across the Lifespan,' and 'Innovation in Action.' Sponsored by PCSS-MOUD and ORN.
• AMERSA Webinars and Workshops Expert-led webinars and workshops covering emerging research and practical tools for substance use practice and advocacy. Topics include MOUD, transitional age youth, SBIRT model, and digital interventions.
• AMERSA Resources Library Curated tools, articles, and educational materials including SUD 101 training, MOUD instructional guide, perinatal care toolkit, peer-focused toolkits, and partner resources from PCSS-MOUD and ORN.
• AMERSA Annual National Conference Annual gathering bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, educators, and people with lived experience to explore the latest science and innovations in substance use care, with workshops, plenaries, oral presentations, and networking.
• AMERSA Membership Multidisciplinary membership offering free SAj access, conference discounts, mentor matching, committee participation, and member center resources. Membership tiers include Full ($325), Special Rate ($175), and Student ($75).
• AMERSA Mentorship Program Program connecting mentor/mentee pairs at the annual conference and throughout the year, supporting professional development across disciplines in substance use education, research, policy, and clinical care.
• AMERSA Position Statements Official position statements on harm reduction, methadone access, overdose prevention centers, drug policy, telemedicine, and racial equity in substance use care, published in SAj.
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs) 12 interdisciplinary communities focused on specific topics including Administration & Operations, Geriatric/Palliative Care, Innovations in MOUD, Acute Care Addiction Services, Nursing, Oral Health, Pediatric/Adolescent, Peer Recovery Workforce, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, and Social Work.
• SAj Editorial Scholar Program 12-month remote program that engages early career clinical or health services scholars with SAj's editorial team, providing mentorship in editorial decision-making, peer review, and scientific communication.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAj Impact Factor 2.8 with ~2800 citations annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Provider's Clinical Support System for Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (PCSS-MOUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCSS-MOUD is a SAMHSA-funded program led by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry in collaboration with national professional organizations. Increases knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals about evidence-based treatment approaches for SUD with focus on OUD. Provides free training and mentoring on MOUD integration into mainstream healthcare.
• Opioid Response Network (ORN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORN supports local and state efforts to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Offers free technical assistance connecting communities with experts to implement evidence-based practices and strengthen programs.
• Sage PublishingcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAj published by Sage Publishing at 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. SAGE handles journal distribution, hosting of submission system (ScholarOne), and publication logistics.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): ASAM is the largest US professional society for physicians and clinicians in addiction medicine, offering membership, annual conference, CME, the Journal of Addiction Medicine, and policy advocacy. It directly overlaps AMERSA's clinical, educational, and advocacy mission for substance use professionals.
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals: NAADAC represents addiction counselors and behavioral health professionals, offering membership, certification, annual conference, webinars, and policy advocacy. It directly overlaps AMERSA's counselor, education, and substance use advocacy audience.
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP): AAAP is the US professional association for addiction psychiatrists, runs the PCSS-MOUD program alongside AMERSA, and offers annual meetings, education, and policy advocacy. It directly overlaps AMERSA's clinician, education, and MOUD-focused mission.
• International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA): IntNSA is a nursing specialty organization for addiction nursing, with membership, an annual conference, the Journal of Addictions Nursing, and education. It directly overlaps AMERSA's nursing-focused SIG and educational offerings in substance use care.
• Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA): RSA is a US-based research society on alcohol, with membership, an annual scientific meeting, and the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. It directly overlaps AMERSA's research, education, and conference mission on substance use disorders.
• College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD): CPDD is the oldest US research organization on drug dependence, hosting an annual scientific meeting, the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and member-led committees. It is a direct peer in substance use research, education, and conference-based dissemination.

Broad incumbents

• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National Council is a US membership and advocacy organization for mental health and substance use treatment providers, offering conferences, training, and policy advocacy. It overlaps AMERSA's policy, training, and community-provider mission at a broader scale.
• American Psychiatric Association (APA): APA is the largest US psychiatric professional association, with membership, annual meeting, multiple journals, and broad policy advocacy that includes substance use disorders. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping addiction and policy content for clinician members.

Others

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): SAMHSA is the federal grant-making agency that funds AMERSA's PCSS-MOUD and ORN programs. It is the upstream funder of much of AMERSA's programmatic activity and a key ecosystem partner rather than a direct peer.

Regional players

• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT): ABCT is a US-based multidisciplinary organization for cognitive and behavioral therapies, with an annual convention, the journal Behavior Therapy, and addiction-related content. It serves a comparable education and research mission for behavioral interventions in substance use.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AMERSA_tweets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amersa-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AMERSA