Addiction: It Isn’t All a Brain Disease – Getting Back to Biopsychosocial

Keynote or Breakout

Description

There is much information about neurobiology, medication assisted treatment, and addiction as a “brain disease”.  But what has happened to a biopsychosocial- spiritual perspective of addiction and treatment?  This presentation highlights advantages and disadvantages of addiction as a “brain disease”.  It argues for holistic, multidimensional perspectives. 

Objectives

Participants will

• Review the current trends to emphasize addiction as a “brain disease”.

• Identify the pros and cons of this perspective and the clinical implications.

• Discuss how to bring balance back to understanding and treating addiction.