(WEBINAR) Cycles of Addiction
CE Type:IACETSW
# of CE's: 2.0
0.2 IACET CE's
CE/CEU Type: SW, IACET # of CE/CEU's: 2.0 CE's 0.2 IACET CEU's
About This Course
This two-hour course offers a practical, evidence-informed exploration of the cyclical nature of addiction. Participants will gain a clear, clinically useful understanding of the stages and drivers of addictive behavior (from first use through relapse), the neurobiology and biopsychosocial risk factors that sustain the cycle, and evidence-based strategies to interrupt it. The course emphasizes applied skills — assessment of triggers and cravings, development of relapse-prevention plans, and selection of appropriate treatment and community resources — using case studies, group discussion, and interactive exercises. The content is designed for clinicians, behavioral-health professionals, students, and community workers who want actionable knowledge and tools for working with people affected by substance-use and behavioral addictions.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the stages of the cycle of addiction (initial use → abuse → dependence → addiction → relapse) and the common behavioral and emotional signs at each stage.
- Identify at least four neurobiological and four psychosocial risk or protective factors that influence addiction vulnerability.
- Recognize common triggers and craving patterns and conduct a brief functional assessment to map an individual’s relapse risk.
- Develop a personalized, practical relapse-prevention plan that includes trigger management, coping strategies, and support resources.
- Compare evidence-based treatment modalities (medical detox, CBT, DBT, contingency management, mutual-help groups, medication-assisted treatment.
Intended Audience:
Child Welfare System social workers, supervisors, and administrators
Instructional Level:
Introductory
Completion Requirements:
Participants must attend the entire session, participate in all activities, and submit an evaluation within the 7 days of training to receive credits and a certificate. All CEU certificates and certificates of attendance will be received through the DBHIDS Learning Hub. Once you have completed your evaluation you will have access to your CEU or Certificate of Attendance through your DBHIDS Learning Hub Account.
Credit Statements:
BHTEN is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.
As an IACET Accredited Provider, BHTEN offers CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard. BHTEN is authorized by IACET to offer CEUs for this program.
(0.2 CEU = 2.0 Training Hours)
Behavioral Health Training and Education Network BHTEN, #1779, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards have the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/22/25-9/22/28. Social workers completing this course receive 2.0 General continuing education credits.
Course Instructors
July 26, 2022
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).
October 3, 2022
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).
March 6, 2023
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).
July 24, 2023
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).
November 6, 2023
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).
May 6, 2024
Bernard Alexander
He/Him
BHTEN
Addictions Recovery Training Specialist
MAC
Bernard has worked with diverse populations, including, youth, families, re-entry, D&A, MH, and more, in clinical and therapeutic settings for over 10 years. He has interacted with varying groups including a wide range of ages, professions, as well as, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He has provided peer support, psycho-education and therapy on substance abuse, co-occurrence, recovery support, maintenance, crisis intervention, community support services, as well as, facilitated individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings. He is experienced with collaboration across city-wide behavioral and human service systems, including behavioral health, child welfare, probation and parole, and judicial entities. Bernard is knowledgeable in Philadelphia’s behavioral health systems structure and services. He has provided formal and informal group training on quality of life, effective parenting, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health disorders, career and educational transitions, recidivism, toxic masculinity and spirituality, to name a few. His work has consistently highlighted the value of evidence-based trauma-informed care and cultural relevance, and has a particular passion and expertise with working with underserved and marginalized communities; and believe that social justice is an important component of holistic therapeutic healing. He earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling degree from Mission Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary).