The Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders: Information for Assessment and Clinical Treatment

Abstract

Neuroscientific research on substance use disorders (SUD) suggests addiction is a complex, multifactorial process, resulting in changes in brain circuits and the brain reward system. This article presents definitions and stages of addiction, highlights of known research on SUD’s etiology, and an overview of empirically supported integrated approaches to treatment of persons with SUD. Applying current neuroscientific and outcome research to clinical treatment of a patient with alcohol use disorder, a case discussion illustrates the etiology of addiction and the importance of matching appropriate interventions to the patient’s stage of addiction and evolving recovery needs. Special emphasis is placed on attending to the physiological cognitive symptoms evident in early recovery. Five recommendations are proposed for clinical treatment of SUD.

KEYWORDS:

• substance use disorder
• neurobiology of addiction
• etiology of addiction
• alcohol use disorder treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susanne Bennett

Susanne Bennett, PhD, LICSW, is an associate professor at the National Catholic School of Social Service of The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where she teaches theory, practice, and research in the master’s and doctoral programs and has a scholarship focus on attachment theory and neurobiology.

Patricia Petrash

Patricia Petrash, MSW, LICSW, is a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst in private practice and chair of the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (ICP+P) Psychotherapy Training Program in Washington, DC.