Stanford Center for Health Education
Psychology of Addiction and Recovery
Understand the science of addiction and discover psychological approaches to treatment and recovery.
Start date
12 May 2021
Enroll by 04 May 2021
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
5–6 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The number of people who suffer from drug-use disorders and require treatment services globally.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Jun, 2019).
The percentage of people who need substance-use treatment, but do not receive it or are not ready to stop using, while 33% cannot afford treatment.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Aug, 2019).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. These discoveries have impacted and improved our understanding of compulsive drug use, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem with scientifically supported psychological interventions. Treatment, recovery, and prevention of addictive behavior has become a global strategy.
Guided by Dr. Anna Lembke, the medical director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and leading activist in the opioid epidemic, the Psychology of Addiction and Recovery online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, explores the complex relationship between doctors and patients, the science of addiction, and the barriers to successfully addressing drug addiction and dependence at a personal and systemic level.
Over the course of six weeks, you’ll evaluate how medications, approaches to psychotherapy, and peer support can enhance recovery, and how scientific evidence can be used to establish innovative addiction treatments. You’ll also explore the neurobiological factors underlying addiction, and how these impact intervention and recovery efforts today.
Is this course for you?
There has been significant progress and expansion in the development of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for substance abuse and psychological dependence. Founded on new research, this course offers a platform to better understand substance and process addiction, and how these impact intervention and recovery. This course is designed for health and care professionals such as social workers, recovery coaches, and mental health counselors, all of whom will find interest in the practical insight into addiction and recovery. Additionally, physicians could benefit from exposure to biological, psychological, and social options for recovery management.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. These discoveries have impacted and improved our understanding of compulsive drug use, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem with scientifically supported psychological interventions. Treatment, recovery, and prevention of addictive behavior has become a global strategy.
Guided by Dr. Anna Lembke, the medical director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and leading activist in the opioid epidemic, the Psychology of Addiction and Recovery online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, explores the complex relationship between doctors and patients, the science of addiction, and the barriers to successfully addressing drug addiction and dependence at a personal and systemic level.
Over the course of six weeks, you’ll evaluate how medications, approaches to psychotherapy, and peer support can enhance recovery, and how scientific evidence can be used to establish innovative addiction treatments. You’ll also explore the neurobiological factors underlying addiction, and how these impact intervention and recovery efforts today.
Is this course for you?
There has been significant progress and expansion in the development of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for substance abuse and psychological dependence. Founded on new research, this course offers a platform to better understand substance and process addiction, and how these impact intervention and recovery. This course is designed for health and care professionals such as social workers, recovery coaches, and mental health counselors, all of whom will find interest in the practical insight into addiction and recovery. Additionally, physicians could benefit from exposure to biological, psychological, and social options for recovery management.
What will set you apart
An understanding of the history of addiction and how perceptions of addiction have changed over time.
An intuitive grasp of the neurological and psychological effects of addiction, and how this aids in the path to recovery.
Awareness of how peer-based policies and approaches to recovery can be used to treat addiction, and how policy-level interventions can be used to address substance misuse in populations.
Insight into biological and psychological approaches to recovery.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The history of addiction
Module 2
The neurobiology of the addicted brain
Module 3
Screening and early intervention
Module 4
Biological approaches to recovery
Module 5
Psychological approaches to recovery
Module 6
Peer-based and policy approaches to recovery
Get course brochure
Academic Director
Anna Lembke
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
About the certificate
Explore the science of addiction and recovery, and earn an official certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing FAQ, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
