https://academic.oup.com/psyrad/article/2/4/180/6917169?login=false
See also
Neurocircuitry of addiction (2010)
Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis (2016)
In Summary:
The Three-Stage Model of Addiction, proposed by George Koob and Nora Volkow, conceptualizes addiction as a recurring cycle involving binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation (craving). This model provides a framework for understanding the neurobiology of addiction and its progression.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of each stage:
- This stage is characterized by the initial use of the substance, leading to a euphoric or rewarding state. It involves the activation of the brain's reward system, particularly the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and caudate nucleus.
- As the substance wears off, the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms, including negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and dysphoria. This stage is associated with dysregulation of brain regions involved in stress and negative emotions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
- The individual becomes preoccupied with the desire for the substance, experiencing intense cravings and a strong urge to use it. This stage involves dysregulation of brain regions associated with executive function and decision-making, including the insula and prefrontal lobes.
This three-stage model helps explain the progression from initial substance use to a more chronic and compulsive pattern of behavior, highlighting the neurobiological mechanisms that drive addiction. It also suggests potential targets for treatment interventions aimed at different stages of the addiction cycle.
