This live session provides a focused overview of the neurobiological foundations of addiction, emphasizing the brain mechanisms that drive substance use, reinforcement, craving, and the development of substance use disorders.
What This Includes
• Key theories of addiction, including the dopamine hypothesis, incentive sensitization, and allostasis
• Core neurobiological concepts underlying reward, motivation, reinforcement, and learning
• The distinction between “liking,” “wanting,” and learning in addiction-related behavior
• The effects of substance use on brain function and the development of substance use disorders
• Neuroadaptations that contribute to craving, compulsive substance use, and relapse risk
• The relationship between neurobiology and clinical manifestations of addiction
• Challenges in translating neurobiological concepts into effective clinical treatment and practice
What to Expect
• Live, faculty-led instruction delivered in an interactive online format
• Discussion of foundational neurobiological concepts relevant to addiction medicine practice
• Structured content aligned with the ACAAM National Addiction Medicine Didactic Curriculum and ABPM content areas
• Emphasis on high-yield concepts for board review and clinical application
• Practical connections between addiction neuroscience and the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders