Implications of the Physiological Mechanisms of Substance Use Disorder

The various neurotransmitter systems each release a chemical of a
different “flavor” along a unique pathway from one brain region to
another. Furthermore, the brain may produce many different
neurotransmitter receptors, each responding differently to the same
chemical, such that the number of signals that can be transmitted in
the brain seems innumerable. Many drugs can drastically disrupt this
system, providing an artificial boost to pleasure centers. Some people
who experience this pleasure may find themselves in the throws of
substance use disorder, unable to refrain from drugs even in the face of
society’s disapproval and possible legal censure.

For this week’s Discussion, you select a substance that often leads
to substance use disorder. You examine the physiological mechanisms of
substance use disorder related to that substance and what knowledge of
these mechanisms can contribute to a societal response to the problem
of substance use disorder.

Part 1 a brief explanation
of how the substance you selected affects the body. Then explain the
physiological mechanisms of substance use disorder related to the
substance you selected. Finally, explain two ways knowledge of
physiological mechanisms of substance use disorder might impact a
society’s response to the problem of substance use disorder. Support
your postings and responses with specific references to the literature
and Learning Resources. Part 2

The Assignment:

Write a 4- to 5-page paper that addresses the following:

• Describe the divisions of the brain that research psychologists are most interested in and explain why.
• Describe what divisions of the brain you might be interested in researching and explain why.

Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources
used in its preparation. You are to provide a reference list for all
resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course. Noe, A. (2011). Is addiction in the head? NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/09/02/140110606/is-addiction-in-the-head

• Sinauer and Associates, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Agonists and antagonists. Available from https://www.bn8e.com

• Breedlove, S. M., & Watson, N. V. (2018). Behavioral neuroscience (8th ed.) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  • Chapter 4, “The Chemistry Behavior: Neurotransmitters and Neuropharmacology”
• Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2010). Neurocircuitry of addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 217–238.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
  • Please read the supplemental note for this article first: Supplemental Note
• Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Fowler, J. S., Tomasi, D., Telang, F.,
  & Baler, R. (2010). Addiction: decreased reward sensitivity and
  increased expectation sensitivity conspire to overwhelm the brain’s
  control circuit. Bioessays, 32(9), 748–755. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20730946