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Impact Talk: “Addiction as a False Survival Instinct”

Members of the Case Western Reserve University community can learn how careers in social work are making a difference in society with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ Impact Talk series in March.

First up is a presentation by lecturer Richard Romaniuk, who will give a talk titled “Addiction as a False Survival Instinct” Wednesday, March 1, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Mandel School’s Noble Commons.

Learn more and register to attend.

About this talk

The biophysics of brain imaging lets us see what people desire and how addiction affects the way humans think. We recognize that hunger, thirst and fear influence the brain structures involved in the overpowering need to satisfy those feelings. There are elements of the survival instinct that take precedence over reason. Drugs of abuse are able to hijack our neuronal system to create a false “survival instinct.” 

Those people affected by these drugs cannot differentiate their own basic instincts clearly. However, the human brain has many priorities. Learning about how it works can help the chemically dependent break away from addiction and help us to better support our clients.

About the series

All sessions in this series will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing on the Mandel School’s YouTube channel. Current Mandel School students can receive one professional development hour for each talk they attend. 

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.