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How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Shape Addiction Risk Across the Lifespan
This course examines how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) influence addiction risk, brain development, and long-term health, while providing trauma-informed strategies for screening, prevention, and treatment.
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About this course
This course explores how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase addiction risk and disrupt neurodevelopment, stress regulation, and long-term health outcomes across the lifespan. Participants will analyze the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms linking early adversity to substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges. Using a trauma-informed framework, the course examines the impact of ACEs on brain development, attachment patterns, and toxic stress while providing practical strategies for screening, prevention, and treatment. Learners will apply ACE-informed approaches within clinical and community settings to reduce stigma, strengthen patient engagement, and promote resilience across generations.
What you will learn
At the completion of this activity, healthcare providers will be able to:
- Explain how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) disrupt neurobiological development and stress regulation across the lifespan.
- Describe the relationship between toxic stress, attachment disruptions, and addiction vulnerability.
- Analyze intergenerational patterns linking trauma, ACE exposure, and substance use.
- Differentiate between traditional and trauma-informed models of addiction care.
- Apply validated ACE screening and trauma-informed communication strategies in clinical practice.
- Develop multidisciplinary strategies to promote resilience and recovery for individuals and families impacted by ACEs.
- Evaluate how addressing ACEs within systems of care can reduce health disparities and improve long-term outcomes.
Course content
Course details
Accreditations
This course has been reviewed and approved through the rigorous standards of leading accrediting organizations, ensuring your continuing education credits are formally recognized and respected across professions and states.
ACCME
Accredited for physician continuing medical education
ANCC
Accredited for nursing continuing education
APA
Accredited for psychology continuing education
ASWB
Accredited for social work continuing education
Additional Information
- Automatic reporting to CE Broker for participating states
- Instant certificate generation upon course completion
- Credits accepted for license renewal
- Meets state requirements for continuing education
Course Faculty
Learn from leading experts who bring their real-world experience and evidence-based practices to this comprehensive training.
Amy Miller
Amy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Training Director with over a decade of experience in higher education, supervision, and program development. She built and leads an APA-accredited doctoral internship in Health Service Psychology, developing the comprehensive program from the ground up. Amy’s work focuses on translating complex psychological concepts into clear, actionable learning experiences that bridge science, theory, and practice. Her background spans university counseling centers, community mental health, and private practice, where she has trained and mentored emerging clinicians to become confident, ethical professionals.
Karon A. Hopkins
Karon is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 10 years of experience in addiction rehabilitation and is certified as both a clinical trauma specialist and a clinical supervisor in addiction counseling. His clinical experience areas include Addiction, anxiety, co-dependency depression, grief, relationship issues, and trauma.
Disclosure
Partners requires every individual in a position to control educational content to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
All relevant financial relationships for anyone with the ability to control the content of this educational activity are listed below and have been mitigated according to Partners policies. Others involved in the planning of this activity have no relevant financial relationships.
- Karon A. Hopkins, LISW-CP, ACSW, CS, CCTP
• has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose - Amy Miller, Psy.D.
• has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
Why learn from these experts?
Clinical Excellence
Our intuitive, user-friendly platform removes barriers, allowing you to focus on what matters most: advancing your skills and reaching your goals.
Real-World Experience
Combined 27+ years of direct patient care experience with diverse HIV populations in various healthcare settings.
Education Focus
Dedicated to training healthcare professionals and have developed evidence-based curricula for stigma reduction.
Patient Advocacy
Strong advocates for patient-centered care and have worked extensively with HIV advocacy organizations.
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Rating Breakdown
Product Details
- 100% Online. Complete on your time
- Courses meet state, department, and board license requirements
- Instant Completion. Certificate sent to you directly
- Reporting on your behalf to CE Broker
Satisfaction guaranteed or full refund
Requirements & Compliance
This course meets your continuing education requirements across multiple states and professions, ensuring you stay compliant with the latest regulations.
Requirements
This course is regularly updated to ensure compliance with current state and federal requirements.
Accreditations
ACCME
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
ANCC
American Nurses Credentialing Center
APA
American Psychological Association
ASWB
Association of Social Work Boards
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