Clinical Topics & Methods Category

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain

1.25 CE Hour
212 members have taken this course
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About the Course

This review examines the effects of alcohol and cannabis use on adolescent brain development, synthesizing findings from 43 longitudinal studies. The article highlights how heavy alcohol consumption is linked to widespread decreases in gray matter volume, disruptions in white matter integrity, and neurocognitive impairments, such as poor impulse control, learning difficulties, and memory deficits. Similarly, cannabis use is associated with altered brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to executive functioning and cognitive control. The review also underscores the need for larger, more diverse studies to clarify long-term effects and potential recovery after substance use cessation.

This course is based on the reading online article, Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain created by Briana Lees et al in 2021.

Publication Details

Publication Date: Alcohol Research Sep 2021

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Briana Lees
Dr. Briana Lees is a researcher at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. She specializes in adolescent substance use and its impact on neurodevelopment. This is her first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Jennifer Debenham
Dr. Jennifer Debenham is a researcher at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. She focuses on longitudinal studies of adolescent substance use and cognitive development. This is her first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Course Creator

Tiara Totten

Tiara Totten is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist and Licensed Professional Counselor with more than nine years of experience working with adolescents and adults utilizing person-centered, motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral techniques to help individuals achieve optimal wellness. She has extensive experience in individual therapy, group therapy and supervision and is currently working on her PsyD in clinical psychology.

Target Audience

Counselors, addiction specialists, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Describe the impact of alcohol and cannabis use on brain structure, function, and cognitive development during adolescence.
  2. 2 Identify differences in neurodevelopmental consequences between alcohol use, cannabis use, and co-use of both substances.
  3. 3 Discuss methodological limitations in existing research and the need for larger, more diverse longitudinal studies.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.

Course Creator

Tiara Totten – None to report.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

$11.25
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Course Details

1.25 CE Hours
Reading Online
Course 103709

Related Topics

Neuroscience Adolescents Alcohol Marijuana Dementia

Availability

This course is available until Mar 2nd, 2035.

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