Course Description

Addiction (Substance Use Disorders) are a major public health concern in the United States. Nearly 43 million Americans 12 years of age or older are affected by this treatable, chronic medical disease. Approximately 23 million in are in recovery and another 20 million in active addiction.

Participants will learn about the disease of addiction by looking at how the brain is affected from substances such as drugs and alcohol. The course will review cause and risk factors for developing substance use disorder and how through brain neuroplasticity and treatment and recovery the brain can change / reset.

Download Overview: Brain and the Disease of Addiction Overview.pdf

What You Will Learn

At the completion of the course, you will be able to

  • Discuss how the brain is affected from substances such as drugs and alcohol.

  • Explain how the disease of addiction develops.

  • Explain brain neuroplasticity and how through treatment and recovery the brain can change / reset.

Course CE Credits and Certificate Program

In partnership with Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Education, Overdose Lifeline has developed layperson and clinician CE courses and Certificate Program on Addiction / Substance Use Disorder with an Opioid Specialization.

The course and the certificate program are structured to support the continuing educational needs of professionals working with or providing services to individuals, families, communities affected by addiction. An individual may pursue individual course CE credits or complete the entire Certificate Program (20 credits). 

CE Accreditation Statement:

Purdue University College of Pharmacy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Laypersons and all other healthcare providers will receive a Certificate of Participation with appropriate AMA credit designation.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (ACCME) is accepted for many clinical continuing education requirements and many societies and credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent as long as the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline.

Release Date:  12/06/2019

Expiration Date:  12/08/2024

Take Online Courses from Anywhere

Completing when it is convenient for you.

  • Video-based Online Learning

  • Highly Rated: 4.86 Rating. 89% Would Recommend.

  • On Your Schedule — At Your Own Pace

  • Progress is Tracked So You Can Pick Up Where You Left Off

  • Gain Knowledge or Fulfill Educational or Professional Requirements

  • Certificate Delivered Upon Successful Course Completion

What People Are Saying

The Brain and the Disease of Addiction Course


"This course allowed me to truly understand the science behind the disease, which allowed me to really grasp addiction in terms of a disease rather than a moral failing."

"Prior to taking this course, I was not aware of the physiologic changes in the brain leading to addiction. I had no idea that using substances during the teenage yielded a higher chance of developing a substance use disorder. Additionally, the fact that the brain is basically rewired to place drugs at the top of the survival hierarchy within the brain."

"I developed a better understanding of how illicit drugs affect the brain and why it is so difficult to actually recover."

"I particularly found the discussion surrounding brain chemistry and the evidence-based science behind addiction very helpful and beneficial. "

"I never really understood the science behind addiction, but now I feel that I have more understanding and compassion for those who struggle with the disease of addiction. It was also beneficial to learn how drugs effect the brain , how the brain reacts to drugs and its release of dopamine."
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Course Reviewer

The course material has been reviewed by subject matter expert: Rob Atchison, Ph.D., LMFT, NCC, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Assistant Professor of Graduate Counseling, Director of Clinical Training, INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, Indianapolis, IN.

Additional Course Notes

  • The course may be accessed from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Internet access is required as are speakers for audio.

  • The following web browsers are supported: Desktop - Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Edge. Note the course platform does not support Internet Explorer. Mobile - iOS Safari: 11 and up, Chrome, Samsung Internet.

  • The course will remain available in your account for six months - allowing you to complete the course at your own pace and return to the course later for review of key concepts.

  • All faculty, staff and reviewers involved in the planning, review or presentation of continuing education activities provided by Purdue University College of Pharmacy are required to disclose to the audience any commercial financial affiliations with ineligible companies related to the content of the presentation or enduring material. All planning committee members, writers, staff and reviewers of Overdose Lifeline and Purdue University have no relationships to disclose.

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