Integration of Generalized Vulnerability to Drug and Alcohol Addiction (From Integration of Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments in Drug/Alcohol Addictions, P 7-22, 1997, Norman S Miller and Barry Stimmel, eds. - See NCJ-170457)

• NCJ Number: 170458
• Author(s): N S Miller; J C Guttman; S Chawla
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

The vulnerability to develop addiction to alcohol has been well-established in familial and genetic studies, and similar studies have supported a vulnerability to drug addiction.

Abstract

The co-occurrence of alcohol and drug addiction in the same individuals is highly prevalent in clinical populations. Neurochemical mechanisms constitute the basis for addiction to both alcohol and drugs, namely in the mesolimbic pathway and the locus ceruleus in the brain. Treatment strategies are directed at both alcohol and multiple drug addictions in patient populations. The formulation of a generalized vulnerability that extends to both alcohol and drug addiction is not only possible but also necessary to explain the significant number of individuals who develop both alcohol and drug addictions. Future research that is pertinent and relevant may depend on an adequate understanding of the generalized vulnerability to develop alcohol and drug addictions, diagnostic strategies, and treatment models. 54 references and 1 figure