Bridging Neurobiological and Buddhist Views on Craving, Addiction, and Recovery

This program is sponsored by Dawn Mountain in collaboration with the Institute for Spirituality and Health, and the Council on Recovery

Treatment of substance use disorders requires a multimodal, interdisciplinary approach that tends to the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of personhood.  Perspectives and practices grounded in world religious traditions are valuable resources that can complement evidence-based approaches in recovery.  The concept of craving is a key concept in both scholarship relating to addition and recovery as well as in Buddhist frameworks relating to suffering.

Please join Dr. Deana Bodnar -  a Ph.D. in Neurobiology, practicing Buddhist, and steadfast recovery advocate for this two-part virtual seminar where we will explore craving, addition, and recovery by putting contemporary neuroscientific understandings in conversation with Buddhist beliefs and practices. The target audience includes professionsals who work in the field of addition and recovery who want to expand their understanding of these dynamics, as well as individuals who are in recovery and who can benefit from perspectives and practices that address the challenges of craving and addition.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this two-part seminar, participants will have gained increased awareness of:

• How neurological and Buddhist views on craving can inform the treatment and experience of substance use disorders
• The neurobiological and philosophical inderpinnings of Buddhist contemplative practice, as they relate to craving, addiction, and recovery
• Strategies based in neurobiology, experience gained in the recovery community, and Buddhist belief and practices that help address substance use disorders

This event offers 6.0 hours continuing education (CE) for social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists.  If you are seeking CEs, please contact Cyrul Wirls at the Institute for Spirituality and Health via email at cwirls@ish-tmc.org with your information and indicate your profession.

Deana Bodnar has a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from UC Berkeley and was a research associate in the Section of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University for 11 years.  She then made a change in career and became a Licensed Master of Social Work.  She worked for about three years in substance use disorder treatment.  For the past 17 years, she has worked in social services including administrative work with programs that serve individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders. Deana routinely reads research literature on neuroscience of various meditation practices as well as mindfulness based interventions used with substance use and mental health disorders.  She has been a student and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism at Namgyal Monastery for over 20 years.  Deana has listened to numerous lectures by Western Scientists and Buddhist Scholars and Practitioners given at Mind and Life Conferences that HH the Dalai Lama offers every year that discuss the advances in science and how that fits into the Buddhist paradigm.

Fee:  $120/$100/$80* (Please choose the amount you are most comfortable with.  All tiers include full program and CEU)

*Dawn Mountain has moved back to a tiered system of pricing, recognizing the wide variation in individuals' fiscal capabilities.  Those with greater ability are encouraged to participate at the higher levels, helping to support programming for those at the lower levels.  As always, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.  If you are unable to contribute at the lower levels, please contact Jerri at info@dawnmountain.org to discuss your personal situation.

Dawn Mountain is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit organization relying upon broad and substantial philanthropic support to balance our budget.  Please support us here.