Continuing Education Event – Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders: The Brain Changes Behind the Behaviors – webinar – 11/17/2021

The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.” In this presentation we will focus on the brain circuitry part of this definition. We will explore brain development, the neural changes that occur in response to drug and alcohol use, and how those changes impact a person’s behavior. As we understand more about the behavioral changes seen in people with substance use disorders we will also discuss ways to use this knowledge to approach engaging people in recovery.

Learning Objectives:
1. List 3 things that can put a person at risk for developing a substance use disorder.
2. Explain how dopamine release in response to drug use can lead to more drug use.
3. Describe 1 behavioral approach and 1 medication approach to treating SUDs based in neuroscience.

Recovery Centers of America has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7002. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Recovery Centers of America is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This course qualifies for 2 credit hours.

Trainer bio:
Dr. Heidi Ginter
Chief Medical Director
Dr. Heidi Ginter, MD, FASAM has nearly two decades of experience working in the addiction treatment field, is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, and is a prominent voice in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT, the use of FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, is widely considered to be an effective tool in battling addiction to opioids and other drugs.

Dr. Ginter graduated from Yale University and earned her doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has lectured extensively on MAT and opioid dependence. Dr. Ginter started her career as a family doctor for underserved populations and eventually found a passion for helping pregnant women struggling with addiction. Most recently, she was the Regional Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer for an outpatient addiction treatment provider with 16 sites in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut.