Section outline

  • Learning Objectives

    By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

    1. Define drug addiction (Substance Use Disorder) as a chronic, relapsing brain disease and explain its core clinical and neurobiological characteristics.
    2. Explain the main psychological motives for drug use (e.g., seeking pleasure, coping, performance enhancement, and social influence) and their relevance in clinical assessment.
    3. Describe how drugs affect the brain by explaining key concepts such as neurotransmission, the reward system, dopamine release, and the development of tolerance.
    4. Analyze the major risk factors for addiction (biological, environmental, and developmental) and explain why vulnerability differs across individuals.
    5. Evaluate the relationship between addiction and mental health (comorbidity) and propose appropriate treatment approaches, including detoxification and evidence-based behavioral therapies (e.g., CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy).

    Understanding Drug Addiction Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide - HealthNord