Addiction - The Biology of the Pursuit of Happiness

This workshop explores addiction and its biological features, focusing on frequently abused substances and treatment strategies.

Choice, Compulsion, Control

What do substance abuse, romantic love, pathological gambling, and internet addiction have in common? They are all conditions that challenge our thinking about free choice, compulsive behavior, and self-control. How responsible are we for our bad habits?

This program will explore the biological understanding of the commonly identified features of addiction – genetic vulnerability, the brain’s reward system, withdrawal, and relapse. We will look specifically at substances that are frequently abused – alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamine. Along the way we will look at treatment strategies and their efficacy.

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

•  Summarize the qualities of addictive behavior
•  Evaluate the various treatments for addictive behavior
•  Recognize the clinical features of the different addictive disorders
•  Incorporate research findings concerning treatment into their approach with these clients

Who should attend

Human service and mental health professionals such as social workers, therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, and nurses.

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  Dr. David Mays (MD, Ph.D.) is a forensic psychiatrist and directed the forensic program at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, WI for 13 years. He serves on the clinical faculty at UW–Madison. Dr. Mays is the recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, The Distinguished Service Award from the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Dane County, and the Exceptional Performance Award from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. He has treated patients in hospital and outpatient settings with co-morbid substance use problems for 20 years. He is a seasoned clinician and highly sought-after presenter.