Pharmacology Category

Addiction and the Brain

Development Not Disease

1.25 CE Hour
226 members have taken this course
Enroll In This Course

About the Course

This article critically examines the brain disease model of addiction and proposes an alternative developmental-learning framework. The author argues that addiction results from neuroplastic changes similar to those seen in deeply ingrained habits, rather than a pathological disease state. By integrating neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral research, the paper highlights addiction as an outcome of self-perpetuating learning processes rather than a condition requiring medical treatment. The discussion challenges conventional medical narratives and emphasizes the role of cognitive and emotional development in understanding and overcoming addiction.

This course is based on the reading online article, Addiction and the Brain created by Marc Lewis in 2017.

Publication Details

Publication Date: Neuroethics January 11, 2017

Course Material Author

Marc Lewis
Dr. Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist and professor at the University of Toronto. He specializes in addiction research, focusing on neurodevelopment and behavioral psychology. This is his first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Marc Lewis authored the material only, and was 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.

Course Creator

Kathryn Held, Psy.D., CADC III

Kathryn Held, Psy. D associate and CADC III, is an individual therapist at Visions adolescent treatment centers. With a decade of experience in the mental health field, Kathryn specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and the OCD spectrum. Kathryn also has expertise in working with LGBTQ+ adolescents while navigating complex family systems. Her current research projects include adolescent suicide and the use of OCD art interventions in anxiety and OCD treatment. She is trained in CBT, ACT and Exposure and Response Prevention. Her empathetic and artistic approach helps support, educate, and instill agency in her clients. Prior to joining the Visions team, Kathryn worked in various treatment settings including detox, sober living, and as the Program Director of a dual diagnosis outpatient treatment center.

Target Audience

Counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for intermediate and above levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Critically assess the limitations of the brain disease model of addiction – Understand how addiction-related brain changes align with normal learning and habit formation rather than pathology.
  2. 2 Analyze the role of neuroplasticity in addiction – Explore how repeated goal-directed behaviors reinforce addiction through self-perpetuating neural adaptations.
  3. 3 Examine the implications of a developmental-learning model of addiction – Consider alternative approaches to treatment and policy that move beyond a purely medicalized perspective.

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

Kathryn Held, Psy.D., CADC III – No Disclosures to report

Commercial support

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

$11.25
Enroll In This Course

Course Details

1.25 CE Hours
Reading Online
Course 103715

Related Topics

Neuroscience Treatment Public Health

Availability

This course is available until Mar 6th, 2035.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Start a Free Trial Course

Continuing Education

Confirm Action