D17: Help with Addiction

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Help with Addiction examines the basic principles and practices in many areas of addiction prevention and treatment. This course covers the meaning and nature of addiction, how drugs affect the brain’s reward system and dopamine pathways, the disease model of addiction, the role of spirituality in recovery, and evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of addiction’s causes, effects, and the approaches used to prevent and treat it across individuals, families, and communities.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Define addiction and describe the role of drug craving as its central characteristic
2. Explain how addiction affects the brain’s reward circuit and the role of dopamine in drug-induced pleasure and dependency
3. Describe how specific drugs — including cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine — affect dopamine levels in the brain
4. Explain the genetic and novelty-seeking factors that may contribute to addiction vulnerability
5. Identify common treatment approaches for addiction including counseling, medications, and social support
6. Describe the disease model of addiction and explain how it differs from behavioral models
7. Explain the role of spirituality in addiction recovery as reflected in 12-step philosophy
8. Describe universal, selective, and indicated prevention strategies and explain how they target different populations
9. Identify key organizations and resources available for addiction prevention and treatment

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.