Science Literacy in Your Practice: A Case-based Understanding of Addiction and Initiating Addiction Science in Your Work

Science Literacy in Your Practice: A Case-based Understanding of Addiction and Initiating Addiction Science in Your Work aims to educate clinicians working with clients experiencing mental health and addiction concerns, who are interested in enhancing their knowledge about scientific research and evidence-based practices. This continuing education (CE) course consists of five lessons where clinicians will not only learn about addiction risk factors, comorbidities, and treatment considerations, but they will also gain a better understanding of how to interpret scientific research and even develop their own research. Learners can earn 1.5 hours of CE credit for completing the course.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of completing this course, you will be better prepared to:

Demonstrate appropriate use of a readiness to change tool in the context of addiction treatment.
Describe risk factors and comorbidities that are common across behavioral and substance-based addictions.
Select and apply a validated screen for Gambling Disorder.
Explain how to critically evaluate empirical research to identify findings that can inform addiction practice.
Identify appropriate steps in the development of an original research study.

Presenter Bios:

Timothy Edson, PhD; Dr. Edson is an Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Research & Evaluation Scientist at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Dr. Edson’s primary research interest is understanding the causes and consequences of risky human behavior, especially in the addiction sciences.
Eric Louderback, PhD; Dr. Louderback is an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Research & Evaluation Scientist and Open Science Ambassador at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance. Dr. Louderback studies addiction within a public health lens, with a focus on algorithms to predict and prevent risky behaviors.
Sarah Nelson, PhD; Dr. Nelson is the Director of Research at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Nelson studies impaired driving, risky gambling, and the etiology of addiction, with a focus on the interface between addiction and other mental health issues.
Heather Gray, PhD; Dr. Gray is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Gray has collaborated with her Division on Addiction colleagues to study the development of, and recovery from, a variety of addictive disorders.
Nicholas Carson, MD; Dr. Carson is a community mental health leader, clinician, and researcher with a passion for improving mental healthcare for disadvantaged families. He is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Clinical Research Associate at the Health Equity Research Lab. Dr. Carson is also the Division Chief for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Cambridge Health Alliance.
Michael Stanton, PhD; Dr. Stanton is a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and an Associate Professor of Public Health at California State University, East Bay. His research examines how stress affects health, and his clinical work integrates mindfulness with cognitive behavioral therapy to treat both mental and physical health problems. Dr. Stanton is also a guest contributor to several media outlets, providing public health expertise to the analysis of current events.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits:

American Psychological Association (APA) – The Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – The Division on Addiction has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6121. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Division on Addiction is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program offers 1.5 clock hours.
NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 1.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D92858.