PSYCH-230 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Opioid Use Disorder, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Addiction
Document Summary
Theoretical perspective on the causes of substance use disorders. Many drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain"s pleasure or reward circuits networks of neurons responsible for producing feelings of pleasure or states of euphoria. Regular use may stop the brain"s own production of dopamine. Thus brain"s natural reward system the feel good" circuitry that produces states of pleasure associated with the ordinarily rewarding activities of life (e. g. consuming a satisfying meal and engaging in pleasurable activities) becomes blunted. Evidence links genetic factors to various forms of substance use and abuse, including alcohol abuse and dependence, heroin dependence, and even cigarette smoking (nicotine dependence) Alcoholism tends to run in families identical twins, 54% concordance, adoptees with alcoholic biological parents have increased risks. Familial patterns provide only suggestive evidence of genetic factors, because families share a common environment as well as common genes. Substance use develops because of a lack of nurturance in early childhood.
