Think Before You Drink: Neurocircuitry of Alcohol Use Across the Developmental Lifespan

Catalog description

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance of abuse across the world. In the United States, approximately 179 million individuals (65% of the population) drank alcohol in the past year. A relatively small, but highly significant portion of these individuals who drink ultimately reach criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Today, almost 15 million people in the U.S. struggle with an AUD. Many decades of research have sought to uncover the brain-based driving forces behind alcohol misuse, the consequences of alcohol on brain function and structure, and how we can effectively treat Alcohol Use Disorder. This course will first cover our current understanding of the brain circuits the drive alcohol craving, use and withdrawal. Then, we will explore alcohol's effects on the brain throughout the lifespan, ranging from prenatal alcohol exposure, adolescence, young adults (including binge drinking in college), middle adulthood, and aging individuals at risk for cognitive decline. Lastly, this course will cover the state-of-the-art techniques being developed to help individuals achieve sobriety and recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder. This highly interactive seminar will engage and equips students with skills in critical thinking, evaluation of scientific research, and a deeper understanding of AUD as a brain-based disease. Students will have the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions with treatment providers and AUD patients to gain a deeper understanding of the realities behind AUD treatment. Overall, this course is intended to help students develop strong skills in thinking and reading like a scientist, understanding the complexities behind alcohol use and misuse across the lifespan, and considering the reality of today's treatment landscape for Alcohol Use Disorder.