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Addiction affects the brain circuits of reward and motivation, learning and memory, and the inhibitory control over behavior. [24] There are different schools of thought regarding the terms dependence and addiction when referring to drugs and behaviors. One adopted belief is that "drug dependence" equals "addiction."
One form of behavioral neuropharmacology focuses on the study of drug dependence and how drug addiction affects the human mind. Most research has shown that the major part of the brain that reinforces addiction through neurochemical reward is the nucleus accumbens. The image to the right shows how dopamine is projected into this area.
Neuroscientists believe that drug addicts’ behavior is a direct correlation to some physiological change in their brain, caused by using drugs. This view believes there is a bodily function in the brain causing the addiction. This is brought on by a change in the brain caused by brain damage or adaptation from chronic drug use. [1] [2]
Addiction affects the brain’s ability to maintain a healthy balance of neurotransmitters,” Dr. Kennedy says, explaining that addiction is a physical disease; someone can’t simply “stop ...
Drug addiction, which belongs to the class of substance-related disorders, is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder that features drug seeking and drug abuse, despite their harmful effects. [31] This form of addiction changes brain circuitry such that the brain's reward system is compromised, [ 32 ] causing functional consequences for stress ...
Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is a biopsychological situation whereby an individual's functionality is dependent on the necessitated re-consumption of a psychoactive substance because of an adaptive state that has developed within the individual from psychoactive substance consumption that results in the experience of withdrawal and that necessitates the re-consumption ...
It is a treatment tailored to the specific triggers and root causes affecting each patient (such as trauma, stress, or anxiety), [33] and that "enables people to counteract addiction's disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives." [32]
"Substance use pertains to using select substances such as alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, etc. that can cause dependence or harmful side effects."On the other hand, substance abuse is the use of drugs such as prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or alcohol for purposes other than what they are intended for or using them in excessive ...