The Addicted Brain

About this Course

This is a course about addiction to drugs and other behaviors. It will describe what happens in the brain and how this information helps us deal with and overcome addiction. It will also discuss other topics, such as government policy and our vulnerability to take drugs.

Learner Career Outcomes

12%

started a new career after completing these courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Skills you will gain

Prevention ProgramsAddiction TreatmentBrainDrug And Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Learner Career Outcomes

12%

started a new career after completing these courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.84/5 (237 Ratings)

Michael Kuhar, Ph.D.

Professor

Yerkes/Emory Pharmacology and Neuroscience

155,173 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(15,345 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

The Background & Overview of Drug Use

In this first week, we'll explore drug abuse, types of addictions, and the behaviors associated with them.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 36 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

Week

2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Drugs & How the Brain Works

In this second week, we'll get a glimpse at why certain drugs are addicting and how they affect different regions of the brain.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 41 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week

3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Classes of Drugs

In this third week, we'll take a deep dive into the different types of drugs and their individual effects.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 47 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Week

4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Classes of Drugs with Animal Models

In this fourth week, we'll take a look at the drug self-administration model in animals and the implications of these results.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 47 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week

5

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Neurotransmission & Brain Imaging

In this fifth week, we'll consider synaptic transmission and how drugs alter it.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 54 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Dopamine, Reward, & Survival7m

Dopamine & Natural Rewards5m

Brain Imaging & PET Scanning9m

Dopamine Receptors in Vulnerability & Healing5m

Neuroplasticity & How Drugs Change the Brain6m

How Drugs Alter Gene Expression: Signaling and Epigenetics11m

Neurotransmission & Brain Imaging Review6m

4 readings

Case: From Success to Desperation10m

Epigenetics Supplement20m

Week 6

3 hours to complete

Vulnerability: Drug Use, Abuse, & Prevention

In this sixth week, we'll have the chance to consider the concept of vulnerability and the value and effectiveness of treatment.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 43 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week

7

Week 7

3 hours to complete

Treatment, Policy, & Decriminalization

In this seventh week, we'll explore drug treatment and government drug policies that exist.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 67 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week

8

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Drugs & Society

In this final week, we'll explore the recent opioid epidemic as well as the topic of medical and recreational marijuana.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 38 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.6

481 reviews

5 stars
75.58%
4 stars
17.38%
3 stars
4.56%
2 stars
1.28%
1 star
1.17%

TOP REVIEWS FROM THE ADDICTED BRAIN

by JHOct 7, 2015

A great and informative course. Very clear and interesting! I would have appreciated a bit more if it discussed more tips to help prevent/deal-with drug abuse or addiction. Thank you for the course!

by LIAug 18, 2015

This is a useful basic refresher course for anyone who works or volunteers in the substance abuse field. I wanted to know the latest brain research and get an update on the various drug categories.

by ERJul 23, 2020

One of the best course. Before I took up this course I have negative feelings towards the drugs addicts. But this course completely change my behavior and opinions towards them. Thank you so much.

by JCSep 3, 2015

Well designed course. I have a couple of close family members who are addicts...pills and gambling. I highly recommend this class. The professor is excellent and I've benefited from his lectures.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

The Addicted Brain