Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Three-Stage Cycle of Addiction
Why in the News?
A groundbreaking study at the University of British Columbia, published in Nature Mental Health, reveals that addiction involves a complex neural circuit regulating cravings, emotions, and decision-making, shifting approaches to treatment and recovery.
Key Findings of the Research:
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The Three-Stage Cycle of Addiction
- Binge/Intoxication Stage (Basal Ganglia – Reward Processing)
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- Substance use triggers dopamine release, reinforcing pleasurable behaviors.
- Over time, the brain associates substance use with intense rewards, increasing dependence.
- Users experience cravings, leading to compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
- Withdrawal/Negative Affect Stage (Extended Amygdala – Emotional Distress)
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- When substance use stops, individuals experience withdrawal symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression.
- The brain craves relief, pushing individuals toward continued substance use to avoid discomfort.
- This stage makes quitting extremely difficult, reinforcing addiction.
- Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage (Prefrontal Cortex – Impulse Control & Cravings)
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- The prefrontal cortex weakens, impairing decision-making and self-control.
- Cravings dominate thoughts, leading to obsessive focus on substance use.
- Despite knowing the negative consequences, individuals struggle to quit due to impaired cognitive function.
This cycle continuously repeats, making addiction a self-reinforcing loop.
PYQ:[2007] Which one of the following parts of the human brain is the regulating center for swallowing and vomiting? Options: (a) Cerebellum (b) Cerebrum (c) Medulla oblongata (d) Pons |
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