Psychology and neuroscience

Catharine Montgomery, Abigail K. Rose and Andrew J. Jones

Chapter 13 in Research Handbook on Drugs and Society, 2026, pp 153-166 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter summarises some of the contributions of psychology and its sub-discipline neuroscience to our understanding of substance use and addiction. We draw on historical and current knowledge of the factors contributing to the initiation of substance use, such as early life stress and heritable personality traits, like impulsivity. We then discuss the development of substance-use disorders to demonstrate how addiction can be conceptualised as both a brain disease and a learned behaviour. Drawing on animal and human studies, the chapter discusses evidence for structural and functional changes in substance users. The chapter also discusses more contemporary views on the development of addiction, and how our understanding of language and stigma can help to develop more sensitive and accessible substance-use treatment services. Policymakers should seek to develop drug policy to substance users and provide person-centred care in line with our current understanding of substance dependence, such as value-based decision-making.

Keywords: Brain disease; Stigma; Neuroscience; Impulsivity; Compulsivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781802209136
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