CE Course: The Truth Behind the Struggle: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Addiction-Early Career/Read Only (7 Hours)

This beginner-friendly CE course provides a comprehensive, interactive introduction to addiction. Participants will explore signs, symptoms, treatment strategies, and systemic impacts while building skills through reflection and hands-on tools.

7 Hours

NAADAC

Based on a guide

self-paced

Overview

Understanding addiction is foundational to effective care. This course walks new clinicians through the essential components of substance use work—from decoding the neurobiology of addiction to recognizing early signs and applying culturally competent treatment plans. You’ll explore how addiction affects lives, families, and communities, then develop your clinical insight through tools like the Symptom Awareness Journal, Relapse Prevention Plan, and Support Network Mapping exercise. Through evidence-based frameworks, reflection activities, and real-world tools, this course prepares you to engage with clients confidently and compassionately.

This course was developed in LearnDash, a robust LMS we rely on for seamless learning experiences.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 7-hour course, participants will be able to:

Define addiction as a chronic, biopsychosocial disorder and dispel common myths to reduce stigma.
Describe the neurobiology of addiction and the effects of substance use on the brain.
Recognize the behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms of addiction.
Assess the systemic and demographic impacts of addiction on clients’ lives.
Apply evidence-based treatment strategies and recovery planning tools.
Integrate cultural awareness and family engagement into treatment approaches.
Strengthen client support systems through community and peer connections.

What's Included

Full-length training guide (7 hours total content)
Chapter-based comprehension quizzes and a final knowledge check
Downloadable worksheets:
▪ Symptom Awareness Journal
▪ Relapse Prevention Plan
▪ Cultural Competency Checklist
▪ Support Network Mapping Tool
Interactive exercises and reflection prompts in each section
Certificate of Completion upon successful evaluation submission
Eligible for 7 CE hours (depending on provider accreditation)

Target Audience

Best suited for: Novice addiction counselors, Graduate-level counseling and social work students, Clinicians transitioning into the field of substance use treatment, Allied professionals seeking foundational knowledge in addiction care

Version Type(s)

self-paced

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