The Neurobiology of Addiction

Presented by Lee Dalphonse, CAGS, LMHC, LCDS, CCMHC, CAADC, CCS

This seminar will be held virtually! Register through PayPal below

Friday, September 18th, 2020
Synchronous Presentation: 8:30-10:00am

Information about the Virtual Format:

• This seminar will contain both synchronous (1.5 hour long live seminar via Zoom) and asynchronous (online materials to review before the virtual seminar to equal 1.5 CEU hours).
• Registrants will be emailed the online materials the week prior to the presentation. Please ensure you provide a current email address when you register!
• Registrants must successfully pass an assessment based on the asynchronous materials in addition to attending the entire virtual seminar to be eligible for the 3 CEUs.

$30 for RIMHCA members/$45 for nonmembers (membership must be up-to-date)
3 CEUs for LMHCs and LMFTs*/3 CEs approved for Social Workers*

• Description of Presentation

  Rapid advancement in the precision of physiological (functional) imaging technologies such as Positron-Emission Tomography (PET) and Functional magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has made it possible for researchers to directly observe, measure and map metabolic activity in the various regions of the brain in both disease and non-disease states. The systematic mapping of the brain’s complex neuro-circuity has led to the discovery of a number of key neural pathways that are essential to survival and psychological well-being. More recent research has led to a much better understand how the brain’s neurochemical processes and neural networks both protect against and exacerbate the risk of addiction and mental illness.

  In this training, special focus will be placed upon helping participants understand:

  • How the functioning of key neural pathways is disrupted by prolonged exposure to drugs of abuse, stress, and other dopamine enhancing activities.
  • How the disruption of these neural pathways serve to initiate and perpetuate the “Cycle of Addiction” (Preoccupation/ Anticipation; Binge/ Intoxication; Reward deficit/ stress surfeit).
  • How medication assisted treatment options work to restore normal brain functioning.

  This training will also introduce participants to key highlights from related research on topics such as:

  • Reward Deficiency Syndrome.
  • Rethinking the notion of “free will” within the context of the addiction cycle
  • The interactive and synergistic relationships and related brain process that that link vulnerability to stress related illnesses, attention-related deficits, substance use disorders, and chronic pain.
  • The emergence of third-wave (third generation) cognitive-behavioral theories that incorporate relevant research findings; such as the brain’s ability to restore disrupted neurocircuits by combining mindfulness practices with traditional cognitive reframing techniques.

   

  Learning Objectives:

  Upon the completion of this training, participants will have a working understanding of:

  • The three stages of the addiction cycle, and the neural pathways associated with each phase.
  • The perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral changes that occur during each stage of the addiction cycle.
  • How repeated and excessive exposure to psychoactive substances disrupts the normal functioning of the neuro-chemical processes and neurocircuits involved in the addiction cycle.
  • How agonist, partial-agonist, antagonist, and aversive pharmacological treatment options impact brain functioning and help restore the neural circuitry that is disrupted by the addiction cycle.
  • Reward Deficiency Syndrome and Stress Surfeit and their relationship to stress and anxiety related illnesses, attention-related deficits, and substance use disorders.
  • Neuroplasticity and its relevance to third-wave cognitive-behavioral theories that combine mindfulness practices with cognitive reframing techniques.
  • Systemic barriers and attitudinal biases that delay or impede access to pharmacotherapy options, and stigmatized the use of medications to support recovery.
  • How their own beliefs about addiction, recovery, and motivation impact the quality of therapeutic alliance, treatment retention and client outcomes.

  Biographical Sketch of Presenter: Lee Dalphonse is an educator, organizational consultant and psychotherapist with thirty-plus years of experience planning, implementing, and evaluating outpatient, residential, and hospital-based programs and services.Lee has provided training and consultation to a variety of audiences and for a number of human service organizations and governmental entities throughout the United States and Canada. Lee is currently the Chair of the Rhode Island Certification Board, a Past President of the Rhode Island Mental Health Counselor’s Association, and he was named the Counselor of the Year by the Rhode Island Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors in 1994.

  Lee holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Mental Health Counseling, and he is a Doctoral Candidate in the Health Administration program at Central Michigan University where he is completing a dissertation on the topic of Exploring the Association Between State-Level Economic And Health System Indicators, and Deaths Of Despair (Suicide, Opioids, Alcohol And Other Drugs). In addition to his academic credentials, Lee is dually- licensed in Rhode Island as a Mental Health Counselor and a Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor, and he holds numerous state and national certifications in various behavioral health sub-specialties.

  *Individuals must attend the entire presentation and submit a presentation evaluation in order to receive their CEs/CEUs.  A certificate of attendance awarding CEs/CEUs will not be emailed to attendees under any circumstances.

  Registration confirmations will come directly from PayPal to the email attached to your PayPal account