GACA Professional Development

 Virtual Only

Pharmacology for Substance Use Disorder Counselors 


Friday, November 20, 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: 

Understanding the pharmacology of addictive substances is essential for counselors working with individuals affected by substance use disorders. This workshop explores how commonly misused substances affect the brain and body, including their mechanisms of action, effects on the central nervous system, and potential for tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and overdose. Participants will examine major substance classifications, relevant pharmacological concepts, and the role of medications used in addiction treatment. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing substance-related effects, understanding interactions and emerging drug trends, and applying pharmacological knowledge to clinical assessment, treatment planning, client education, and collaboration with medical providers.

Learning objectives: 

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

1. Identify major classifications of psychoactive substances and describe their mechanisms of action and effects on the brain and central nervous system.

2. Explain the concepts of tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, and overdose, including how these processes may influence clinical presentation and treatment needs.

3. Describe the role of medications used in substance use disorder treatment and identify opportunities for counselors to support medication education, client safety, and collaboration with medical professionals.


Presenter:   Dr. Tamara Thorn DMSc, DSW, LCSW, PA-C, CMAC, CMATS

Dr. Tamara Idette Thorn is a doctoral-trained behavioral health professional with more than 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. She is a licensed clinical social worker and physician assistant with specialized training in psychiatry and addiction care. Through Assessments, Continuing Education, and Clinical Supervision (ACES), she provides clinical assessment, professional education, and clinical supervision services. Her work includes addiction treatment, mental health, and continuing education for behavioral health professionals.

 

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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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