Activity Description

The session aims to equip healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of the neurobiological foundations of addiction. By exploring the brain mechanisms that drive addictive behaviors, participants will learn how to integrate this knowledge into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.

Target Audience

Physicians and other healthcare professionals

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

• Understand the Neurobiological Mechanisms of Addiction
  Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key neurobiological pathways and brain regions involved in addiction, including the roles of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, glutamate, and GABA.
• Recognize the Impact of Neurobiology on Treatment Approaches
  Participants will learn how the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction influence the development of effective treatment strategies, including pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
• Apply Neurobiological Insights to Patient Care
  Participants will be able to translate their knowledge of addiction neurobiology into clinical practice by identifying biomarkers of addiction, understanding the implications for relapse prevention, and tailoring treatment plans to the individual needs of patients.

References and Resources

1. Volkow, N. D., & Morales, M. (2019). "The Brain on Drugs: From Reward to Addiction." Cell, 162(4), 712-732.
   This review provides an in-depth discussion of the brain’s reward system and the role of key neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate in addiction. It also covers how alterations in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens contribute to addictive behaviors.
2. Koob, G. F., & Mason, B. J. (2022). "Existing and Future Medication Approaches to Alcohol Use Disorder." Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 240, 108218.
   This article discusses how insights into the neurobiology of addiction inform the development of pharmacological treatments targeting neurotransmitter systems involved in addiction. It also covers the integration of neurobiological principles into behavioral therapies and relapse prevention strategies.

Faculty Bio

Paul H. Earley, MD, DFASAM has been an Addiction Medicine Physician for 40+ years. He treats all types of addictive disorders and specializes in the assessment and treatment of healthcare professionals. As a therapist, he works with patients already in recovery, providing long term therapy for those who suffer from this disease. His professional expertise extends to advocacy for professionals before agencies and licensing boards. He is a contributing author to the ASAM Textbook: Principles of Addiction Medicine, as author of the chapter: Physician Health Programs and Addiction among Physicians. He is a contributing author to the ASAM Criteria. His two most recent books Recovery Mind Training and The Implementation Guide to RecoveryMind Training are published by Central Recovery Press.   A speaker and educator who speaks and trains on topics of addiction, its treatment and addiction among healthcare professionals, including one of Southern Medical Association's Annual Scientific Assembly faculty.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Earley disclosed the following:

Salary as the Medical Director of the Georgia Professionals Health Program, Inc.

Principal, Earley Consultancy, LLC providing consultation to the addiction treatment industry

Vice President of Medical Affairs at DynamiCare Health Inc. a software company that builds recovery support tools

President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, a volunteer position 2019-2021

Course Information

CME Release Date: November 20, 2024
Valid for credit through: November 19, 2025
Course type: Enduring Material
Estimated time of completion: 1 hour
Maximum number of attempts: 3
Passing Score: 70%

Credits Available

Southern Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Southern Medical Association designates this Live Course activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

System Requirements and Instructions for Participation and Credit

System Requirements

• Learners must have Adobe Reader installed in order to view course content.
• The website is supported by the latest versions of most modern web browsers. In order to experience the website fully, please upgrade to the latest version of one of the following browsers: Google Chrome (recommended), Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Apple Mobile Safari.
• JavaScript must be enabled. JavaScript should be enabled by default in your browser, but if not then please consult your browser's Help section for information on how to change this setting. Upgrade your browser to a version that supports JavaScript 1.2 or higher (see browser list above).
• Connection Speed Requirements - DSL or faster

Instructions for Participation and Credit

This activity is designed to be completed within the time designated; learners should claim only those credits that reflect the time actually spent in the activity. 

To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period noted, following these steps:

• Read the goals and objectives, accreditation information, and author disclosures.
• Login in below to study the educational content and references.
• Complete the evaluation and quiz.

Upon successful completion of these components, your certificate will be processed and emailed from customerservice@sma.org. Credits will be archived for 6 years; at any point within this time period you may login to your account to print a duplicate copy of your certificate.