Addiction

any organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional group (–OH) is bound to a saturated carbon atom

Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces an immediate psychological reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use can alter brain function in synapses similar to natural rewards like food or falling in love in ways that perpetuate craving and weakens self-control for people with pre-existing vulnerabilities. This phenomenon – drugs reshaping brain function – has led to an understanding of addiction as a brain disorder with a complex variety of psychosocia

psychotherapeutic approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions

patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the psychoactive/chemical substance substances in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others

right|thumb|upright=1.2|Operant conditioning chamber for reinforcement training

pharmacological concept describing subjects' reduced reaction to a drug following its repeated use

The striatum (: striata) or corpus striatum is a cluster of interconnected nuclei that make up the largest structure of the subcortical basal ganglia. The striatum is a critical component of the motor and reward systems; receives glutamatergic and dopaminergic inputs from different sources; and serves as the primary input to the rest of the basal ganglia.

Self-medication, sometimes called do-it-yourself (DIY) medicine, is a human behavior in which an individual uses a substance or any exogenous influence to self-administer treatment for physical or psychological conditions, for example headaches or fatigue.

range of public health policies designed to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various human behaviors

group of neural structures responsible for positive emotions

region in the human basal forebrain rostral to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus

450px|thumb|Mechanism of NF-κB action. The classic "canonical" NF-κB complex is a heterodimer of p50 and RelA, as shown. NF-κB waits for activation in the cytosol, complexed with the inhibitory protein IκBα. Various extracellular signals can enter the cell via membrane receptors and activate the enzyme [[IκB kinase (IKK). IKK, in turn, phosphorylates the IκBα protein, which results in ubiquitination, dissociation of IκBα from NF-κB, and eventual degradation of IκBα by the proteasome. The activated NF-κB is then translocated into the nucleus where it binds to specific sequences of DNA called re

A stereotypy (, ) is a repetitive or ritualistic movement, posture, or utterance. Stereotypies may be simple movements such as body rocking, or complex, such as self-caressing, crossing and uncrossing of legs, and marching in place. They are found especially in people with autism spectrum disorder and visually impaired children, and are also found in intellectual disabilities, tardive dyskinesia, and stereotypic movement disorder; however, they may also be encountered in neurotypical individuals as well. Studies have shown stereotypies to be associated with some types of schizophrenia. Frontot

group of neurons on the floor of the midbrain

mental disorder involving the abuse or dependence on a substance that is ingested in order to produce a high, alter one's senses, or otherwise affect functioning

one of the brain's dopamine pathways, often called the "reward centre"

In internal medicine, relapse or recidivism is a recurrence of a past (typically medical) condition. For example, multiple sclerosis and malaria often exhibit peaks of activity and sometimes very long periods of dormancy, followed by relapse or recrudescence.

form of addiction that involves a compulsion to engage in a rewarding non-drug-related behavior despite any negative consequences to the person's physical, mental, social or financial well-being

approach to psychological counseling

processes of treatment for drug dependency

mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

alt=|thumb|200x200px|CREB (top) is a transcription factor capable of binding [[DNA (bottom) and regulating gene expression.]] CREB-TF (CREB, cAMP response element-binding protein) is a cellular transcription factor. It binds to certain DNA sequences called cAMP response elements (CRE), thereby increasing or decreasing the transcription of the genes. CREB was first described in 1987 as a cAMP-responsive transcription factor regulating the somatostatin gene.

practice of smoking several cigarettes/cigars in succession

cognitive process that permits an individual to inhibit impulses and behavioral responses to stimuli in order to select a more appropriate behavior that is consistent with achieving goals

Protein fosB, also known as FosB and G0/G1 switch regulatory protein 3 (G0S3), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (FOSB) gene.

psychological dependence on smartphones

Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the HDAC1 gene.

dysfunction of the reward system observed in some individuals taking dopaminergic medications for an extended length of timeDDS

neural, cognitive, and behavioral effects of physical exercise

operant response following electrical stimulation of the brain

behavior, or stimulus related to a behavior, that is both rewarding and reinforcing

set of personality traits that make an individual predisposed to developing addictions

theory in economics that addiction can be modeled as a rational form of consumption

Kind of discrimination