Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavioral and neurochemical commonalities in addiction

  • Published:
Contemporary Family Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Individuals involved in compulsive activities as different as sex, drugs, eating, crime and gambling exhibit remarkably similar behaviors with regard to their addiction. The authors apply a unified model of addiction which relates these behavioral similarities to manifestations of altered neurochemistry in that portion of the limbic system responsible for reward. Certain individuals whose genetic or environmental situation creates a deficit of dopamine in the reward system are prone to anxiety, craving and general lack of feelings of well-being. In order to satiate these feelings, they may engage in any number of activities or drugs which temporarily restores dopamine neurotransmission.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blum, K. (1991).Alcohol and the addictive brain: New hope for alcoholics from biogenetic research. New York: MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, K., Trachtenberg, M., & Kozlowski, G. (1989). Cocaine therapy: The reward cascade link.Professional Counselor, (January–February), 27–52.

  • Carnes, P. (1991).Don't call it love: Recovery from Sexual Addiction. New York: Bantam Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. (1988).The chemical brain. Irvine, CA: Care Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobson, J. (1988). A pleasurable chemistry.Psychology Today, (July–August) 29–33.

  • Hughes, J. (1975). Isolation of an endogenous compound from the brain with pharmacological properties similar to morphine.Brain Research, 88 285–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, P., Gerstein, D., & Maloff, D. (Eds.) (1983).Commonalities in substance abuse & habitual behavior. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milkman, H. & Frosch, W. (1977). The drug of choice.Journal of Psychodelic Drugs, 9(1), 11–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milkman, H. & Sunderwirth, S. (1982). Addictive processes.Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 14, 177–192.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milkman, H. (1987).Say yes to natural highs-A conference on new directions, Boulder, CO, Oct. 3–5.

  • Ornstein, R. & Sobel, D. (1989).Healthy pleasures. New York: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sunderwirth, S. (1990). Harnessing our brain chemicals. H. Milkman & L. Sederer (Eds.),Treatment choices for alcoholism and substance abuse. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, R. (1989).Intoxication: Life in pursuit of artificial paradise. New York: E. P. Dutton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weil, A. (1986).The natural mind. Boston, MA: Houghton-Miflin.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis/Columbus Campus, USA

    Stanley G. Sunderwirth PhD (professor of chemistry)

  2. Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado

    Harvey Milkman PhD (professor of psychology)

Authors
  1. Stanley G. Sunderwirth PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Harvey Milkman PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors with to thank Dr. Kenneth Blum, director of the Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, for his inspiration and encouragement in the preparation of this manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sunderwirth, S.G., Milkman, H. Behavioral and neurochemical commonalities in addiction. Contemp Fam Ther 13, 421–433 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00890496

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00890496

Keywords

Search

Navigation