Join fellow U of T alumni and friends for an engaging conversation on how addiction changes the brain—and what that means for recovery.
- Presentation
- Audience Q & A
Drawing on insights from his book Trapped by the High, Dr. Timothy Parker (BSc 1976 TRIN) explores the complex relationship between addiction and the brain. This talk examines why addiction fundamentally alters brain function, often leaving recovering individuals with cognitive impairments, and why relapse remains such a persistent challenge. It explains the mechanisms behind drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, including why these symptoms often oppose the drug’s original effects, and compares the impact of substances such as cannabis and alcohol on brain health.
The presentation also addresses why people continue using drugs long after the pleasure fades, what brain changes underlie these behaviors, and why recovering individuals remain vulnerable to re-establishing their habits. Finally, it considers what evidence-based approaches to treatment offer the best hope for recovery.
Your alumni representative and event organizer Sameer Singh (MBA 2011), will be there to welcome you.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Don’t miss out—register now for this engaging and informative session!
About Dr. Timothy Parker
Professor Emeritus Timothy Parker retired in 2023 after 37 years of teaching at the Augustana Campus, University of Alberta, where he spent the last 21 years as a full professor of biological psychology. In 2013, he authored the textbook Foundations of Biological Psychology, widely used by students in the field.
Dr. Parker’s research focused on the neurobiology of addiction, learning, memory, and various mental disorders. He has shared his expertise with audiences around the world, including at a Roundtable on Substance Abuse at Oxford University. In the past 2 years alone, he has delivered more than 40 presentations on addiction across communities in Alberta.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Parker has written and self-published a book for general readers, Trapped by the High: What Addiction Is and How It Changes the Brain. Now in its 7th printing, the book translates complex neuroscience into an accessible and engaging narrative, helping readers understand the brain processes behind addiction.
Have questions about this event?
Contact Anna Kadir at anna.kadir@utoronto.ca
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