Understand the science of addiction and discover psychological approaches to treatment and recovery.

As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. These discoveries have impacted and improved our understanding of compulsive drug use, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem with scientifically supported psychological interventions. Treatment, recovery, and prevention of addictive behavior have become a global strategy.

Guided by Dr. Anna Lembke, the medical director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and leading activist in the opioid epidemic, the Psychology of Addiction and Recovery online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, explores the complex relationship between doctors and patients, the science of addiction, and the barriers to successfully addressing drug addiction and dependence at a personal and systemic level.

Over the course of six weeks, you’ll evaluate how medications, approaches to psychotherapy, and peer support can enhance recovery, and how scientific evidence can be used to establish innovative addiction treatments. You’ll also explore the neurobiological factors underlying addiction, and how these impact intervention and recovery efforts today.

About the certificate

Explore the science of addiction and recovery, and earn an official certificate of completion from the Stanford Center for Health Education

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, powered by 2U, is an online learning expert with over 10 years of experience in developing premium online short courses from the world’s leading universities and institutions. We are powered by 2U to support you in unlocking your potential through life-changing learning with an immersive and high-touch experience.

We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.