Parents of teenagers often question what their children think as they make important life choices and engage in potentially dangerous behaviors. Dr. Ken C. Winters, professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse and Research at the University of Minnesota, is going to explore that parental concern one step further by explaining the latest research on adolescent brain development and why young adults sometimes make decisions to participate in risky behaviors, such as gambling.
Register today for the next free session in the NCRG Webinar Series, “Adolescent Brain Development: Implications for Understanding Youth Gambling,” on August 24 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST. This session is free for all attendees and you can earn one hour of continuing education units.
Dr. Winters is a leader in the field of on the assessment, prevention and treatment of adolescent drug abuse and problem gambling. He is also a member of the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board, the group that plays a vital role in overseeing the NCRG’s grant-making efforts, ensuring grants are awarded only to those research proposals that meet the most rigorous standards for scientific integrity.
This webinar will be an exciting look at the new scientific discoveries about the brain that have put a much different perspective on our understanding of adolescent behavior. Research now suggests that the human brain is still maturing during the adolescent years, with significant changes continuing into the early 20s. The developing brain of the teenage years may help explain why adolescents and young adults sometimes make decisions that seem to be quite risky and may lead to safety or health concerns such as gambling excessively. And it may add insights into unique vulnerabilities and opportunities associated with youth.
Christine Reilly, senior research director of the NCRG will moderate this session, as well as explain many of the NCRG’s resources and programs that are geared toward adolescents and young adults.
This session has been approved for one hour of continuing education by:
- NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #737)
- The California Foundation for Advancement of Addiction Professionals (provider #OS-02-26-1111)
- The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (for MFT and LCSW licensure requirements in California) (Approval #PCE 4619)
- The National Board for Certified Counselors (provider #6474)
- The NCRG is also approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The NCRG maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
The sixth volume of the NCRG’s monograph series, Increasing the Odds: A Series Dedicated to Understanding Gambling Disorders, will be also available online at the same time as the webinar. Its title, “Gambling and the Brain: Why Neuroscience Research is Vital to Gambling Research,” is another look into the neurobiological science behind gambling disorders.
We look forward to seeing you on August 24 for this NCRG webinar session! Do you have questions or comments? Please leave them in the comments section below.
