America’s opioid epidemic didn’t happen by chance—it was built on overprescribing, pill mills, and a flood of synthetic opioids that reshaped entire communities. In this training, Dr. Cali Estes cuts through the headlines and politics to show exactly how we got here, what opiates do to the brain and body, and why relapse is more common than recovery without the right support. Her real-world experience in prisons, clinics, and private practice makes the material practical, relatable, and immediately usable.

Across four sessions, you’ll trace the progression from prescription pills to heroin and fentanyl, learn how withdrawal unfolds from acute symptoms to post-acute mental flatness, and examine the neuroscience of dopamine hijacking that keeps clients stuck in the cycle. You’ll also uncover how triggers, cravings, and cultural blind spots sabotage recovery efforts—and how to explain these concepts to families in ways they can actually understand.

This isn’t theory—it’s a toolbox. You’ll leave with clarity on MAT options like Suboxone, Methadone, and Vivitrol, insight into Narcan realities and overdose risks, and practical strategies for biochemical repair using food, supplements, and movement. By combining medical knowledge with coaching tools and community resources, the training prepares you to guide clients safely through detox, rebuild their brain chemistry, and create a foundation for long-term recovery.