Addiction Therapy Courses

Addiction can take a significant toll on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of an individual. The brain’s rewiring, triggered by the dopamine release associated with addictive behaviors, creates a powerful pleasurable effect, making recovery challenging. Factors such as trauma, chronic stress, PTSD, and even genetic predispositions can contribute to this debilitating chemical dependency.

Recent research and clinical evidence indicate that adverse childhood experiences—such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, relational trauma, and early childhood stress—greatly increase the risk of developing addictions. These may include substance misuse, disordered eating, gambling, workaholism, compulsive sex, exercise, or unhealthy relationships. Addictive behaviors often serve as a means of self-medication, helping individuals regulate mood and emotions.

Drug- and alcohol-related deaths have been rising across the developed world for many years. Yet, despite growing evidence linking early childhood trauma to addiction, many alcohol, drug, and addiction services focus primarily on harm minimization, often lacking the resources to explore the underlying causes of addiction.

Our addiction courses help therapists deepen their understanding of the profound interconnection between trauma and addiction. These courses delve into how unresolved childhood experiences often lead to emotional dysregulation and the development of addictive behaviors or substance use disorders. They offer valuable insights and trauma-informed strategies to help practitioners address these underlying issues and apply trauma-focused principles in multi-modal treatment plans. Our courses also explore mind-body approaches to addiction and provide guidance on counseling individuals bereaved by drug- or alcohol-related deaths.

Learning in our courses is facilitated through a variety of methods, including a combination of theory, case vignettes, practical exercises, workshops, lessons, handouts, and videos, all delivered by world-class speakers.