News tagged with drug addiction

Scientists can now block heroin, morphine addiction; clinical trials possible within 18 months

In a major breakthrough, an international team of scientists has proven that addiction to morphine and heroin can be blocked, while at the same time increasing pain relief.

Neuroscience created Aug 14, 2012 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (30) | comments 8 | with audio podcast

A classic instinct -- salt appetite -- is linked to drug addiction

A team of Duke University Medical Center and Australian scientists has found that addictive drugs may have hijacked the same nerve cells and connections in the brain that serve a powerful, ancient instinct: ...

Medical research created Jul 11, 2011 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (11) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

New kind of memory trick may help drug addicts recover

(Medical Xpress) -- Traditionally, treatment for drug addicts has centered around so-called extinction procedures designed to disassociate memories tied with taking drugs to help reduce the cravings that so often result in ...

Addiction created Apr 13, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast report

New hope for addicts

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to quickly grasp what a University of Mississippi professor's research could mean to the millions of people addicted to hardcore narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and morphine.

Addiction created Jan 28, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 1

Researchers argue 'addiction' a poor way to understand the normal use of drugs

A new review from UK and German researchers claims that the vast majority of people who routinely use drugs are using them to achieve their goals and cope better with the stresses of modern life.

Other created Apr 12, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 8

Study shows how neurons interact, could lead to new treatment for addiction

Harvard scientists have developed the fullest picture yet of how neurons in the brain interact to reinforce behaviors ranging from learning to drug use, a finding that might open the door to possible breakthroughs in the ...

Neuroscience created Jan 18, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

People love talking about themselves, brain scans show

(HealthDay) -- Got something to report about yourself? An opinion, perhaps, or a status update? Nobody may care except you, but new brain research suggests you can make yourself feel good simply by sharing.

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 07, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 5 | with audio podcast

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding common psychiactric treatments

(Medical Xpress)—Drugs for psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia often require weeks to take full effect. "What takes so long?" has formed one of psychiatry's most stubborn mysteries. ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Heroin vaccine blocks relapse in preclinical study

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have reported successful preclinical tests of a new vaccine against heroin. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, preventing ...

Medical research created May 06, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A mother's touch may protect against drug cravings later

An attentive, nurturing mother may be able to help her children better resist the temptations of drug use later in life, according to a study in rats conducted by Duke University and the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Neuroscience created Dec 06, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Neurons that control overeating also drive appetite for cocaine

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have zeroed in on a set of neurons in the part of the brain that controls hunger, and found that these neurons are not only associated with overeating, but also linked to non-food associated ...

Neuroscience created Jun 24, 2012 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Your attention please: 'Rewarding' objects can't be ignored

The world is a dazzling array of people, objects, sounds, smells and events: far too much for us to fully experience at any moment. So our attention may automatically be snagged by something startling, such ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Jun 07, 2011 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (3) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Scientists start explaining Fat Bastard's vicious cycle

Fat Bastard's revelation "I eat because I'm depressed and I'm depressed because I eat" in the Austin Powers film series may be explained by sophisticated neuroscience research being undertaken by scientists affiliated with ...

Overweight and Obesity created May 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Indian state in grip of a drug epidemic

On a muggy evening in the north Indian city of Amritsar, Sunil Sharma prepares for another heroin hit in a decrepit, abandoned building.

Addiction created Sep 28, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Researchers identify pathway that may protect against cocaine addiction

(Medical Xpress)—A study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health gives insight into changes in the reward circuitry of the brain that may provide resistance against cocaine addiction. Scientists ...

Neuroscience created Apr 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a pathological condition. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) has categorized three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterized, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities. By the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition, drug addiction differs from drug dependence and drug tolerance.

It is, both among scientists and other writers, quite usual to allow the concept of drug addiction to include persons who are not drug abusers according to the definition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The term drug addiction is then used as a category which may include the same persons who under the DSM-IV can be given the diagnosis of substance dependence or substance abuse. (See also DSM-IV Codes)

For more information about Drug addiction, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Related topics: alcohol , brain , drug , cocaine