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Addiction Science: From Molecules to Managed Care
- Introduction
- What Is Addiction?
- Why Do People Abuse Drugs?
- Why would anyone abuse drugs?
- Why do drugs make people feel good or feel better?
- How are drugs able to affect brain chemicals?
- Dopamine is a brain chemical involved in many different functions including movement, motivation, reward — and addiction.
- Neurons are the brain’s messaging system. How do they communicate with each other?
- Neurotransmission
- Neurotransmission (continued)
- Natural rewards stimulate dopamine neurotransmission.
- But what happens when a person takes a drug?
- Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine neurotransmission.
- Dopamine is an important brain chemical in drug abuse and addiction, but other brain systems and brain chemicals are also involved.
- Brain pathways are affected by drugs of abuse.
- Drug Use Changes the Brain
- Prevention/Development
- Genes, Environment, Comorbidity
- Treatment
- Relapse
- HIV/AIDS
- International Program & Conclusion
Why Do People Abuse Drugs?
In This Section
- Why would anyone abuse drugs?
- Why do drugs make people feel good or feel better?
- How are drugs able to affect brain chemicals?
- Dopamine is a brain chemical involved in many different functions including movement, motivation, reward — and addiction.
- Neurons are the brain’s messaging system. How do they communicate with each other?
- Neurotransmission
- Neurotransmission (continued)
- Natural rewards stimulate dopamine neurotransmission.
- But what happens when a person takes a drug?
- Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine neurotransmission.
- Dopamine is an important brain chemical in drug abuse and addiction, but other brain systems and brain chemicals are also involved.
- Brain pathways are affected by drugs of abuse.
This page was last updated July 2008.
Featured Publication
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.
External link, please review our disclaimer.
External link, please review our disclaimer.
External link, please review our disclaimer.




