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Last DoorContinuing Education
Courses
Cart
Sign InGet Started
Understanding The Addicted Brain
Intermediate

Understanding The Addicted Brain

A 10-hour intermediate-level course exploring the neuroscience of addiction across the lifespan. Covers the role of brain chemistry, gender differences, stress responses, mood disorders, and adolescent vulnerability, providing practitioners with a scientific foundation for understanding addictive behaviours and informing treatment approaches in Canadian recovery contexts.

Lifetime accessCertificate of completion21 lessonsMobile & desktop
Pharmacology & NeuroscienceYouth & Adolescents
Understanding The Addicted Brain
$100CAD
10 CEU hrs

What you'll learn

Explain how dopamine and reward circuitry drive addictive behaviours
Describe gender-specific neurobiological differences in addiction development and treatment response
Analyze adolescent brain vulnerability to addiction and long-term consequences
Connect stress response systems (HPA axis) to addiction and comorbid mood disorders
Apply neuroscience knowledge to inform gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment approaches in Canadian settings

Professional Recognition

CACCF - Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - Approved CEU Provider

Approved for 10 Continuing Education Hours from The CACCF

Eligible for professional development credit with:

CRPOCollege of Registered Psychotherapists of OntarioBCACCBC Association of Clinical CounsellorsOCSWSSWOntario College of Social Workers and Social Service WorkersBCCSWBC College of Social WorkersACSWAlberta College of Social WorkersCNOCollege of Nurses of OntarioBCCNMBC College of Nurses and MidwivesCRNACollege of Registered Nurses of AlbertaIC&RCInternational Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
Disclaimer
These bodies use self-directed professional development models and do not pre-approve CE providers or courses. Registrants are responsible for determining whether activities align with their individual learning goals. Certificate of completion provided for your professional development records.
Recognize neuroplasticity and recovery mechanisms to support sustained behavioral change
Evaluate evidence-based neuroscience interventions for diverse populations

Requirements

  • Basic understanding of brain anatomy (or willingness to review)
  • Working knowledge of addiction and recovery concepts
  • Experience in healthcare, social services, counselling, or related field

Who this course is for

  • Addiction counsellors and therapists
  • Social workers and case managers
  • Healthcare providers and nurses
  • Recovery educators and peer specialists
  • Mental health professionals
  • Policy and program developers in Canada

Course Content

5 sections • 21 lessons • 10 hours total length

About this course

A 10-hour intermediate-level course exploring the neuroscience of addiction across the lifespan. Covers the role of brain chemistry, gender differences, stress responses, mood disorders, and adolescent vulnerability, providing practitioners with a scientific foundation for understanding addictive behaviours and informing treatment approaches in Canadian recovery contexts.