FEATURED Medical education topic: Addiction is a Brain Disease

It is estimated that there are 46 million people in the United States with a substance use disorder, and only 6.3% are in treatment. There were over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021. A complex interaction between genetics and the environment influences substance use disorders. It is estimated that 14.5 million have alcohol use disorder, 8.1 million have illicit drug use disorder. Approximately 50% of patients with substance use disorders have co-occurring mental health disorders. The link between brain disease, neurochemistry, and behavior in addiction is poorly understood by many clinicians. Education can help to bridge this gap and thereby improve access to care. 

Proposed Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, the learners will be able to:

• Describe the neurocircuitry underlying reward sensitivity in human brains 
• List FDA approved list of medications for alcohol abuse disorders 
• Appreciate behavioral techniques used to treat substance use disorders and how they impact brain function 

If your medical staff needs an update on the connection between the brain and addiction, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

References:

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/03/new-nih-study-reveals-shared-genetic-markers-underlying-substance-use-disorders

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02547-z