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On-Demand
RSA Certificate in Alcohol Education, Research and Practice

Module 1: Introduction to Alcohol Use & AUD

Milena Radoman, PhD
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Description

This introductory module provides an overview of alcohol use and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as defined by DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Participants will examine the epidemiology, prevalence, and burden of alcohol use on injury, morbidity, and mortality, drawing from current CDC Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) data. The session explores biological, psychological, and social risk and protective factors that influence alcohol use patterns. Discussion will also address stigma, misconceptions about AUD as a “choice” versus a “disease,” and the broader social and economic costs associated with alcohol misuse.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Define Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) according to DSM-5 criteria and distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe classifications. Interpret epidemiologic and CDC Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) data to analyze the morbidity and mortality associated with alcohol use.

  • Identify and apply biological, psychological, and social risk and protective factors that contribute to the development of AUD.

  • Evaluate the influence of stigma and misconceptions on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes for individuals with AUD. Discuss the social and economic consequences of alcohol misuse and integrate this knowledge into clinical or research frameworks.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is for participants to strengthen their capacity to recognize, diagnose, and address Alcohol Use Disorder with greater clinical sophistication, informed by current diagnostic standards and awareness of stigma and systemic impacts.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Milena Radoman, PhD
Dr. Milena Radoman is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on substance misuse and its co-occurrence with psychiatric and physical conditions, particularly chronic pain. Her current research uses behavioral, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches to examine how the brain’s response to uncertainty links negative affect, alcohol use disorder, and pain. Dr. Radoman earned her B.A. in Neuroscience from Wellesley College and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Yale Stress Center under the mentorship of Dr. Rajita Sinha, and in 2025 was awarded the prestigious NIH/NIAAA Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) to establish her independent research program focused on alcohol use disorder and chronic pain. Her work has been published in leading journals including American Journal of Psychiatry, Neuropsychopharmacology, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and Addiction Biology, and she has delivered invited talks at national and international conferences.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Research Society on Alcohol