The Neurobiology of Addiction
Learn how to better help your patients with a substance use disorder by understanding how addiction affects the brain.
3,812 enrolled on this course
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
4 hours100% online
How it works
The Neurobiology of Addiction
Discover how neurobiology relates to a substance use disorder
This two-week course provides an overview of neurobiological adaptations that occur during active addiction to help you better understand your patients, and improve your quality of care.
You’ll gain knowledge of the neurobiology of biopsychosocial disorders as well as the major genetic contributors to addiction.
With this knowledge, you’ll examine how the dysfunction in these neurobiological circuits can ultimately result in an individual’s pursuit of reward or relief by substance use and other behaviours.
Examine the biopsychosocial model of addiction
You’ll delve into the causes of substance use disorders including environmental factors and childhood traumatic events.
This will help you discuss the biopsychosocial model of addiction and its implications for the prevention and treatment of addiction disease.
Explore addiction treatment with industry experts
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to explain how understanding addiction as a chronic disease positively impacts the survival and recovery of people with addiction.
Learning from the experts at The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), you’ll also be able to identify the primary medications used in addiction treatment and their effect on the brain’s circuits and homeostasis.
With this knowledge, you’ll have a better understanding of your patients with substance use disorders and know how to improve the quality of treatment you provide.
Syllabus
Week 1
The Neuroscience of Addiction
Course Introduction
You will begin by examining the neurobiology of substance use disorders, learn how it affects a person suffering from an addiction, and explore environmental factors that contribute to addiction.
The Pleasure Pathway
In this section, you will explore how many activities such as food, water, sex, exercise, and relationships activate the brain's reward circuit, the pleasure pathway. Most of these activities involve the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Positive and Negative Reinforcement
In this section, you will view the progression of substance use disorder through the positive and negative reinforcement cycle of addiction. Taking substances in greater frequencies and quantities leads from euphoria to dysphoria.
Impaired Executive Function in Addiction
In this section, you will explore how chronic substance use causes impairment in signaling by neurotransmitters, which impacts decision-making.
Brain Adaptation: Tolerance and Withdrawal
In this section, you will examine the balance of neuron excitement and inhibition in the normal brain and contrast that with brain adaptation (or tolerance) and unopposed brain excitation (or withdrawal).
Key Takeaways
Faculty review topics from the neuroscience of addiction course including the pleasure/reward pathway, positive and negative reinforcement, impaired executive function in addiction, and tolerance and withdrawal.
Week 2
Environmental Factors in Addiction and Social Supports in Recovery
Week Introduction
This week, you will examine environmental and social factors that can play a role in the development of addiction and relapse, but also how they play a role in supporting sustainable recovery.
Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs)
In this section, you will examine how traumatic events in childhood can predispose individuals to addiction.
Social and Environmental Factors in Addiction: What Animal Studies Reveal
In this section, you will explore the Lessons of Rat Park and the role of social standing in the development of addiction.
Environmental Cues as Risk Factors
In this section, you will explore how triggering (Pavlovian conditioning) develops and how it can cause a return to use in an individual recovering from a substance use disorder.
Return to Use and Recovery
In this section, you will explore strategies and approaches to prevent patients from returning to use and support their recovery.
Key Takeaways
Faculty review topics from week 2 of the neuroscience of addiction course including social and environmental factors in addiction such as social isolation, social standing or placement, and the mitigating role of social supports.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Discuss the biopsychosocial model of addiction and its implications for the prevention and treatment of the disease of addiction.
- Explain what occurs in the brain of a person with addiction in terms of the brain’s neurobiology.
- Explain how the understanding of addiction as a chronic, treatable disease impacts the survival and recovery of people with addiction.
- Describe how traumatic events in childhood may predispose people to develop addiction.
- Explore the roles social and environmental factors play in addiction.
- Explore triggering and causes of relapse in patients with substance use disorder.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who see patients at risk for or with addiction.
It is most suited for those new to addiction medicine, such as primary care physicians, clinicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and behavioral health.
Improve your knowledge of addiction medicine and its effects with these courses from the American Society of Addiction Medicine:
Who will you learn with?
Dr. Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM
Nationally recognized expert in addiction medicine who's passionate about improving the care of patients with SUD's, particularly those who are pregnant.
Who developed the course?
American Society of Addiction Medicine
The American Society of Addiction Medicine is a professional medical society representing over 7,000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $39.99 For your first month. Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 22 Dec 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$39.99
For your first month. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 22 Dec 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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Map your progress
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- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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