Understanding Addiction

Addiction is a complex and potentially deadly disease that can baffle professionals. With all the competing ideas about what addiction is and how to treat it, it is challenging to know the “right” way to help clients who are struggling. Luckily there are common factors of addiction that can help clinicians support clients’ recovery. Designed for the general practitioner, this seminar will provide tools to help therapists gain confidence in getting to the heart of addiction treatment and better support their clients. In this seminar participants will understand the types of drugs and their effects; gain tools for screening, treating and referral; and discuss common themes shared by clients who present with substance use disorders.

1.5 hours CE. Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1.72 hours

CE CREDITS: 1.50 continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Introductory

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning of audio components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must complete a pre-test (not scored), progress through all course segments, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 6/28/2023

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the differences amongst drug categories
• Integrate models of addiction and interventions to provide supportive treatment to substance using clients
• Assess when it is clinically appropriate to refer to a higher level of care or a specialist in addiction

1. Pharmacology

1. How drugs reach the brain

2. Pharmacology of alcohol

3. Pharmacology of opioids/depressants

1. The opioid crisis

4. MAT - medically assisted treatment

5. Pharmacology of stimulants (includes nicotine)

6. Pharmacology of hallucinogens (includes cannabis)

1. Hallucinogens for the treatment of mental health and addiction

7. Models of addiction

8. Compare/contrast: Moral, Disease, Sociocultural, Psychological, and Biopsychosocial models of addiction

2. Neurochemistry of addiction

1. Progression of SUD and impacts on the brain

3. Screening/Intervention/Referral/Treatment

1. Screening

1. Assessing our intake documents and initial session questions

2. Intervention

1. Clinical considerations for different levels of use

2. Common themes in addiction treatment

3. Referral

1. Overview of levels of care

2. When to refer to higher level of care of specialist

4. Treatment

1. Special considerations for treating professionals

2. Treatment resources