The neurocircuitry of illicit psychostimulant addiction: acute and chronic effects in humans

Sara B Taylor, Candace R Lewis, M Foster Olive

Drug addiction, also referred to as substance dependence, is a serious and chronically relapsing disease wherein the afflicted individual has difficulty limiting drug intake, exhibits high motivation to take the drug, continues using the drug despite negative consequences, and experiences negative emotional and physiological states when the drug is withheld.1 In the United States, the 2010 prevalence rates (current and past- month use, in persons aged 12 years or older) for illicit drug use (including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin) reached 22.6 million (8.9%).2

The estimated number of persons aged 12 years or older classified with substance dependence (including illicit drugs and alcohol) in 2010 was 22.1 million, representing 8.7% of the US population.2 Furthermore, 20.5 million Americans were classified as needing treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem.2 Of the 1 million persons that felt that they needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use problems, only 33% made an effort to seek treatment.2 These surprisingly high numbers and lack of effort to seek treatment clearly indicate that illicit drug addiction remains a significant problem in the US.

 SAR-39684-the-neurocircuitry-of-illicit-psychostimulant-addiction–an-_020713_copia.pdf