Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents

The Neurobiology of Addiction and Pathways to Recovery

with Dr. Bobby Singh

Friday, May 16, 2025
9:00am-11:30am

Simpkin's "Community Center" Room B

(979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)

2 CE Credits

Description

This Continuing Education (CE) event offers an in-depth look at the neurobiology of addiction and its implications for effective treatment. Participants will learn how addiction impacts the brain’s reward, decision-making, and stress systems, with a focus on the role of dopamine in motivating behavior. The presentation also explores the strong connection between substance use, anxiety, and depression, helping clinicians better understand the emotional roots of addiction. Framing addiction as a chronic illness, the event highlights how this perspective reduces stigma and supports long-term recovery. Evidence-based treatment approaches—including therapy, medication, and brain-based strategies used at The Key—will be presented to equip providers with practical, compassionate tools for client care.

Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the neurobiological changes that occur in the brain as a result of addiction and how these changes influence behavior.
2. Explain the role of dopamine in the development and reinforcement of addictive behaviors.
3. Identify the connections between substance use, anxiety, and depression.
4. Articulate the rationale for classifying addiction as a chronic brain disease.
5. Outline the essential elements of effective, evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment.

Presenter

Dr. Bobby Singh (he/him) is a Stanford Addiction Medicine graduate who carries with him a wealth of knowledge on both an academic and personal level. Dr. Singh witnessed the struggles of his family and friends battling addiction. Although his hospital experience has given him a keen understanding of the medical complications of those going through dependency detox, it truly was his personal relationships with friends and family that inspired him to build long-term treatment plans for sustainable sobriety. During his medical career and while training at Stanford, he found outpatient services greatly impacted the overall success rate of addiction treatment. This led to a fundamental shift in what Dr. Singh wanted to accomplish and further fueled his goals of establishing a well-balanced, honest and structured program – The Key Addiction Treatment Center and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Dr. Singh has spent years studying addiction medicine and what good medical and counseling services can do for maintaining sobriety. He will personally meet with each client on a regular weekly basis. He is eager to help those with alcohol and/or substance use disorders. Dr. Singh knows many can find their way again if given the right tools and support – if given The Key to their sobriety and a chance to live life again.

Schedule

9:00am: Check-in *
9:30am-11:30am: CE Session

* = non CE portion of day

Advanced registration is required for this event and must be completed at least one day before the event. Each individual seeking CE credits must register separately, attend the event, and submit the post-session evaluation to receive CE certificate within one week. The evaluation with attached CE certificate will be sent out to confirmed attendees by 48 hours after the event.

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $30
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $20

Non-Member: $45
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $25

If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please me sure to log in here.

Continuing Education Provider #62284: This training meets the qualifications for 2 hours continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees after completion of the session evaluation and sent by email no later than three weeks after the session. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.

Special Accommodations: The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is committed to providing a presentation that is accessible to all who wish to attend. If you have a special need and plan to attend, please notify us at president@santacruztherapist.org. Requests must be made one week in advance.

Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.