Theories and Treatment of Drug Dependency: A Neurochemical Perspective

Title:Theories and Treatment of Drug Dependency: A Neurochemical Perspective

Volume: 7

Author(s): Sheila Pakdaman, Richard E. Wilcox and Joseph D. Miller

Affiliation:

Keywords: Behavioral sensitization, dopamine, like want need, medial prefrontal cortex, receptor down-regulation, ventral striatum.

Abstract: Treatment of chemical dependence (“addiction”) requires an understanding of its effects on the brain. To guide research in the area of chemical dependence, several foundational theories have been developed. These include the incentive salience, receptor down-regulation, opponent process, and psychomotor stimulant theories. These have been important both in summarizing and in guiding investigations. However, the extant theories do not provide a single unified framework nor have they yielded all of the guidance necessary for effective chemical dependence treatment. The present paper summarizes and then integrates these theories and suggests some implications for the treatment followed by this integration.

Cite this article as:

Pakdaman Sheila, Wilcox E. Richard and Miller D. Joseph, Theories and Treatment of Drug Dependency: A Neurochemical Perspective, Current Molecular Pharmacology 2014; 7 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874467207666141017150625