From a neurobiological perspective, addiction is the hijacking of the pleasure-reward pathways of the brain and a weakening of its executive function. In 2022, the fundamental model has been expanded to include newer concepts such as motivational circuitry and anti-reward pathways. These 21st century discoveries inform clinical innovations that are now changing the landscape of the pharmacological and psychosocial treatments of substance use disorders and the behavioral addictions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the basic elements of drive and cognition in the neurobiology of addiction
2. Describe the anti-reward pathways of the brain
3. Discuss clinical implications of the neurobiology of addiction in treating substance use disorders and the behavioral addictions