The Neurobiology of Addiction

Teacher

COURSE OVERVIEW

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences (DSM-5, 2014). It is a brain disease because it involves structural and functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.

Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, as these conditions disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of organs in the body, have serious harmful effects, and are, in many cases, preventable and treatable. If left untreated, all of these diseases, including addictive disorders, can last a lifetime and may lead to premature death.

This presentation provides an overview of the science of addiction. It discusses the brain and its role in addiction, the parts that genetics plays, the behavioral effects of addiction, the impact of substance use on the developing brain, and the addiction cycle, focusing mainly on the role of dopamine in maintaining these addictive disorders. The presentation also provides treatment options for persons battling addictions and discusses the importance of eradicating stigma, which impedes treatment and recovery.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

- Discuss why addiction is a brain disease.
- Explain how genetics may play a role in persons who are vulnerable to developing an addiction;
- Explain the brain’s role in addiction, specifically the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters and the areas of the brain affected as we currently know from research;
- Discuss the behavioral effects of addiction and why persons with addiction disorders are unable to stop their behavior very easily;
- Discuss the treatment approaches to addiction rehabilitation, including the “bio-psycho-socio-spiritual’ model and harm reduction.

Target Audience: Psychologists, Social Workers, Addiction Counselors, LMFT, & Licensed Professional Counselors

Content Level: Beginner to intermediate

2 CE hour credits approved by ASWB, NAADAC & NBCC

State Board Approval

ADACBGA #19-12-17-1212
CSWMFT #50-29024
FCB #5387-A
FLORIDA MENTAL HEALTH
OBLADC #20220136
OCDP Board Provider #50-29024
SCLLR #4610
VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01

Course Features

Lectures 2
Quizzes 1
Duration Lifetime access
Skill level Intermediate
Students 25
Certificate Yes
Assessments Self

VIDEO RECORDING 1
- Lecture1.1
  
  The Neurobiology of Addiction
COURSE EVALUATION 1
- Lecture2.1
  
  The Neurobiology of Addiction
QUIZ 1
- Quiz3.1
  
  The Neurobiology of Addiction
  15 questions

Sean Knowles, MD

Sean Leonardo Knowles, MD is a physician at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in the Department of Psychiatry in Nassau, Bahamas. He is currently working in the Substance Abuse wards.

Dr. Knowles attended Temple Christian Schools during his primary and junior high school years and obtained his senior high school education from Saint Augustine’s College where he was his class valedictorian in 1994. He later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish in 1998 from Saint John’s University in Minnesota as a Cum Laude graduate with All-College Honors and earning a Distinction in Biology. Dr. Knowles then obtained a Master of Science degree in Mathematics & Statistics from Youngstown State University in Ohio in 2005 and was awarded the Most Outstanding Graduate Student in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics Award. In 2013, he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of the West Indies and was presented The Dr. Mortimer Moxey Most Outstanding Performance in Community Medicine Award. Dr. Knowles was also the recipient of a 2016 British Chevening scholarship that afforded him the opportunity to complete a Master of Science Degree in Immunology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in September 2017. His thesis is entitled "Understanding the Effects of Free Heme on Human Neutrophil Function." Presently, Dr. Knowles is a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and recently completed the University of Minnesota – Duluth and the North American Training Institute’s Studies in Gambling Addiction: Counseling the Pathological Gambler Certification course.
In his spare time, Dr. Knowles enjoys weightlifting, kickboxing, traveling, watching thriller movies, public speaking, and mentoring young men.
Dr. Knowles’ ultimate career goal is to utilize his psychiatry, clinical medicine, mathematics, and immunology of infectious disease training and experiences by serving the public health sector of The Bahamas as a physician, health policymaker, and educator. He also aspires to become a Minister of Health in The Bahamas someday.