Definition of Drug Addiction:
- It is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by:
- Compulsive drug-seeking behavior
- Loss of control over drug use
- Continued use despite harmful consequences
Key Feature of Drug Addiction:
- It involves psychological and neurobiological changes, particularly in the mesolimbic dopamine system (brain reward system).
Neurobiological Mechanism:
- Addiction is mainly mediated through the mesolimbic dopamine system, particularly:
- Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
- Nucleus accumbens (NAc)
- Prefrontal cortex
- Drugs increase dopamine release in this pathway, reinforcing the behavior.
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Common Addictive Drugs:
| Drug Class | Examples |
| Opioids | Heroin, morphine, fentanyl |
| CNS Stimulants | Cocaine, amphetamines |
| Depressants | Alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates |
| Hallucinogens | LSD, MDMA (ecstasy) |
| Cannabinoids | THC (marijuana) |
| Nicotine | Tobacco products |
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