GACA Professional Development

 Virtual Only

The Disease of Addiction 


Saturday, November 21, 2026


8:45 AM Check-In  

9:00 AM Workshop Begins

12:15 PM  Lunch Break

1:00 PM  Workshop Resumes

4:15 PM   Workshop Concludes

Location:  Online

6.0 CE Hours Approved by GACA, GSCSW and NAADAC. 

Approved for 6.0 Clock Hours with NBCC.

Description: 

Addiction is a complex, chronic, and treatable condition that affects brain functioning, behavior, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. This workshop examines the disease model of addiction, including the neurobiological, psychological, genetic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to the development and continuation of substance use disorders. Participants will explore how changes in brain reward, motivation, stress, and decision-making systems can influence substance use and recovery. The workshop will also address common misconceptions and stigma surrounding addiction, emphasizing how an informed understanding of the disease can strengthen therapeutic relationships, support person-centered care, and promote compassion, accountability, and sustained recovery.

Learning objectives: 

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the neurobiological processes associated with addiction, including changes in reward, motivation, stress, and decision-making systems.

2. Identify genetic, psychological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to the development and progression of substance use disorders.

3. Apply the disease model of addiction to clinical practice by identifying ways to reduce stigma, strengthen therapeutic engagement, and support individualized treatment and recovery planning.


Presenter:   Dr. Kym Leonard, DNP-BC, CMAC

Dr. Kym Leonard is a board-certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Certified Master Addiction Counselor. She works in mental and behavioral health, addiction medicine, and primary care, and consults with healthcare providers and clinicians. She is the founder of GKM Training Institute, which offers education through its School of Counseling and School of Ministry. Through her professional and educational work, Dr. Leonard promotes awareness of mental health, addiction, preventive medicine, and whole-person wellness.

 

#GACALeads

 #GATreatmentworks 

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The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators, and other addiction-focused health care professionals.


Georgia Addiction Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7302.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Georgia Addiction Counselors Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.  


Registration

  • 6.0 CE Hours, Virtual Only

  • 6.0 CE Hours, Virtual Only

  • that Continuing Education is part of my professional and ethical responsibilities. This requirement is for my betterment and for the welfare of my clients. It is not simply a box to check, but for my professional growth and development as a clinician.

  • that I can not miss more than 15 minutes of a training/workshop in order to receive CE credit, as per the regulations governing CE approvals.

  • it is unethical and unprofessional to be working (engaged in work), shopping, at a restaurant, playing video games, watching tv, or engaged in any other activity that would cause me to be distracted from learning.

  • I may be required to have my camera turned on.

  • to type my name into the chat box at random times.

  • Browsers:
    We utilize Zoom for our webinars. Zoom recommends the following browsers for peak performance: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Chromium Edge.

    Registration Emails:
    Older Email Providers often have difficulties when emails are sent to multiple recipients. This is the usual practice in sending out information, evaluations, handouts, etc. for our webinars. We recommend that you register utilizing using an email from one of the following providers: Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo. We highly discourage the use of Earthlink, Comcast.net or AOL email accounts for registration.

    You may set up free email accounts with any of the recommended providers: Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo. If you need assistance, please contact the GACA office.

$109.00

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