Course Description:

Patients receiving therapy services may also have a co-occurring substance use disorder that impacts the way therapy professionals interact with the patient and manage the therapy plan of care. As such, therapy professionals need to be knowledgeable of this behavioral health condition, its impact on a person's functional ability, and strategies to use when providing treatment. This course will provide an overview of the learning and medical/disease models of substance use. It will also provide information about risk factors, the substance use myths, the neurophysiology of addiction with a focus on the reward center and role of dopamine, and treatment and recovery.