The Science of Addiction Series

• The Science of Addiction: The Terminology of Addiction (3 hours)
• The Science of Addiction: Drugs and the Brain (3 hours)
• The Science of Addiction: Basic Pharmacology (6 hours)
• The Science of Addiction: Dependence Disease Treatment (3 hours)
• The Science of Addiction: Research (3 hours)

In order to save download time and space, we have NOT included the REFERENCE pages in the printed and downloaded materials for each of the above courses.  To view the references for the above courses, click on this link to download: SOA References

Course Goals

Neuroscience is clarifying the causes of compulsive alcohol and drug use – while also shedding light on what addiction is, what it is not, and how it can best be treated – in exciting and innovative ways. Current neurobiological research complements and enhances the approaches to addiction traditionally taken in social work and psychology. However, this important research is generally not presented in a forthright, jargon-free way that clearly illustrates its relevance to addiction professionals. 

Courses in the series The Science of Addiction:

• explain changes in the terminology and characterization of addiction that are emerging based upon new neurobiological findings, thus making the student aware of the most current research (The Science of Addiction: The Terminology of Addiction - 3 hours);
• present a comprehensive overview of the roles that brain function and genetics play in addiction (The Science of Addiction: Drugs and the Brain - 3 hours) ;
• provide information on the basic pharmacology of stimulants and depressants, alcohol, and other drugs, illustrating the specific and unique ways in which the brain and the central nervous system interact with, and are affected by these substances (The Science of Addiction: Basic Pharmacology - 6 hours);
• discuss current and emerging treatments for chemical dependence (The Science of Addiction: Dependence Disease Treatment - 3 hours); and
• examine how to read and interpret new research findings on the neurobiological basis of addiction (The Science of Addiction: Research  - 3 hours).

The goal of the series The Science of Addiction is to help the almost 21.6 million Americans, and millions more worldwide, who abuse or are dependent on drugs by teaching their caregivers (the various helping professionals who provide alcohol and other drug abuse treatment ) about the latest addiction science research. The courses are intended to help addiction professionals understand the foundations and applications of neuroscience, so that they will be able to better empathize with their patients and apply the science to principles of treatment. When professionals learn the proper scientific and clinical terminology, they tend to incorporate it into their everyday language and professional care environment. Thus, the value of these courses is great to those who read it with a goal of learning something new.

The Science of Addiction equips counselors, social workers, psychologists, and all those working in the field with a thorough understanding of the latest neurobiological causes of addiction, thus ensuring a more knowledgeable and effective approach to overcoming the illness.

Course Objectives 

The Science of Addiction: The Terminology of Addiction (3 hours)

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

• Investigate the term addiction as it applies to the field of drug and alcohol treatment;
• Examine changes in the terminology and conceptu­alization of "addiction" that are emerging based on new neuroscience, genetic, and clinical findings;
• Introduce the concept of “brain disease”;
• Compare the concept of disease as it applies to medical issues vs. chemical dependence;
• Discuss the issues related to the stigma and discrimination of the disease classification;
• Contrast the issues of abuse vs. dependence;
• Introduce the concept of “dependence liability.”

The Science of Addiction: Drugs and the Brain (3 hours)

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

• Examine the structure of the neuron (nerve cells) as the "brains" of the nervous system;
• Learn about the function of neurotransmitters  which send chemical "messages" between neurons;
• Develop and understanding of the neurotransmitter Dopamine  as one neurotransmitter that is useful in understanding addiction;
• Explore other important neurotransmitters which can be compared to dopamine;
• Learn how drugs interfere with neurotransmitters;
• Review new findings through research which indicate addiction is a disease, and treatable;
• Examine information related to the genetics of chemical dependency

The Science of Addiction: Basic Pharmacology (6 hours)

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

• Explore popular myths regarding the ability of drugs to produce chemical dependence;
• Define the term “drug”’
• Discuss the range or drug actions;
• Examine the following drugs of abuse in relationship to their effects, actions, and addiction potentials:
  • cocaine
  • amphetamines
  • caffeine
  • benzodiazepines
  • barbiturates
  • opiods
  • alcohol
  • nicotine
  • marijuana
  • club drugs
  • MDMA
  • LSD
  • Ketamine
  • GHB
  • Rphypnol
  • inhalants
  • steroids
  • OTC drugs
• List alcohol concepts affecting neurobiology and treatment;
• List drug concepts affecting neurobiology and treatment.

The Science of Addiction: Dependence Disease Treatment (3 hours)

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

• Explore current and emerging treatments for chemical dependence and how neuroscience helps us understand the way they work;
• Review the philosophy of chemical dependence treatment;
• Discuss the role and place that 12-Step programs hold in chemical dependence treatment;
• Identify and examine a variety of approaches for care including
  • Interactional and Behavioral Therapy
  • Methadone Treatment
  • Harm Reduction
  • Moderation Management
  • Faith-Based Treatment
  • Detoxification Services
• Examine issues related to treatment of heroin dependence;
• Examine issues related to treatment of nicotine dependence;
• Introduce concepts related to co-occurring drug use and mental disorders.

The Science of Addiction: Research (3 hours)

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will:

• Recognize the role that research plays in the development of treatment services;
• Learn how to evaluate the validity of science in this area and how to read and interpret new research find­ings;
• Discuss how to read scientific articles
• Identify useful sources of research information;
• List ten representative drug myths that are common to the treatment field;
• Investigate future research trends and important questions that addiction science should answer.

Your Course Instructor:
Carlton K. Erickson
Ph.D.

Carlton (Carl) K. Erickson, a research scientist, has been studying the effects of alcohol on the brain for over 25 years. Carl received his Ph.D. degree in pharmacology from Purdue University in 1965. He has held tenured teaching and research positions at The University of Kansas and The University of Texas since 1969. He presently is the Pfizer Centennial Professor of Pharmacology and Director of the Addiction Science Research and Education Center in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA), the College for Prevention of Drug Dependence (CPDD), and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).

Carl is broadly knowledgeable about the alcoholism research literature, since he is an active scientist and Science Editor of the new Betty Ford Center newsletter, Findings. Publisher of over 150 scientific and professional articles, he is also co-editor of the book, Addiction Potential of Abused Drugs and Drug Classes (Haworth Press, 1990), and co-author of Your Brain on Drugs (Hazelden, 1996), and Drugs, The Brain and Behavior (Haworth Medical Press, 1998). He formerly wrote a regular commentary called "Voices of the Afflicted" for, and is now an Associate Editor of, the scientific journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. He has participated in the Professionals in Residence program at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA and is a recipient of the Betty Ford Center Visionary Award (2000). As a neuroscientist, Carl believes that alcoholism and other addictions are neurochemical disorders which present themselves clinically as different subtypes, each related to a different neurochemical pathology which produces the primary symptom of compulsive drug taking.