Addictions, Substance Use Category

Dark Times: The Role of Negative Reinforcement in Methamphetamine Addiction

2.25 CE Hours
432 members have taken this course
Skip to Course Registration Info
Enroll In This Course

About the Course

The article examines how negative reinforcement mechanisms contribute to methamphetamine use disorder. It reviews evidence from subjective experience, behavioral studies, neuroimaging, and event-related potentials to understand the processes that maintain addiction. The review emphasizes that methamphetamine use is often driven by the short-term reduction of unpleasant physical or emotional sensations, which reinforces continued use despite severe long-term consequences. The article also explores how diminished cognitive control, altered emotional processing, and impaired decision-making abilities contribute to the persistence of methamphetamine use and highlights the need for effective treatment interventions.

This course is based on the reading online article, Dark Times: The Role of Negative Reinforcement in Methamphetamine Addiction created by April C. May, PhD. et al in 2020.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 1st Edition 3/17/2020

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

April C. May, PhD.

Dr. May is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the VA in Palo Alto, California. She uses neuropsychological and neuroimaging methods to examine the effects of alcohol and substance use on adolescent neurocognition and development. Her research has been published in more than 50 peer reviewed journals.

Robin L. Aupperle, PhD

Dr. Aupperle is the Principle Investigator at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK. The overarching mission of Aupperle’s research lab is to conduct translational neuroscience research that has the potential to inform our understanding and optimization of psychotherapy interventions for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms and co-occurring conditions, such as substance use disorder. She has published more than 150 works in peer reviewed journals.

Course Creator

Allison Brown, LCSW 149014591

Allison Brown holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice with a Psychology focus and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently works at a Long-Term Insurance company bringing clinical experience to claim processes. Additionally, she developed and continues to lead the Continuing Education Program for Social Workers and Nurses and often leads complex process improvement projects Prior to this, her primary focus was in mental health and worked in both the outpatient and inpatient settings providing support to adults with mental illness.

Target Audience

Counselors, marriage and family therapists,nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Define the concept of negative reinforcement and its role in methamphetamine addiction.
  2. 2 Analyze the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying methamphetamine use disorder.
  3. 3 Compare the effectiveness of various treatment interventions targeting negative reinforcement mechanisms in methamphetamine addiction

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.

Course Creator

Allison Brown, LCSW 149014591 – No relevant financial relationships.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Nebraska Board of Alcohol and Drug Counseling

2.25 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 31st, 2028
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
More Info

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

2.25 CE credit hours
Eligible until Sep 29th, 2026
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
More Info
NAADAC Approved Education Provider

Course Material

References begin on page 20.

Access Course Material

Viewing External Material

This course material is hosted by , a web site separate from Impact CE. When you're done, just close the tab/window to return to this course page.

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Impact CE.

Membership is free, and you can register today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.

If you're already a member, please sign in to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.

Enroll In This Course

Discuss this course

You can share your thoughts about this course after you pass the exam.

Sign In or Register to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Start a Free Trial Course

Continuing Education

Copyright © 2026 CE Learning Systems LLC

Please Confirm