Addiction
What is addiction?
Addiction involves a loss of control over whether or not to take a substance or carry out a particular action, because a person has become dependent on this to get through day-to-day life. Addiction can be caused by both physical and psychological dependency, and sometimes people may need to take or do more and more of whatever they are addicted to in order to get the ‘high’ they seek.
Addictions to drugs, alcohol or smoking are common, but people can also become addicted to other things such as eating or gambling. According to the charity Action on Addiction, one in three people in the UK has an addiction to something. But not everyone who takes drugs, drinks alcohol or gambles is addicted – the crucial thing is whether they have difficulty controlling the habit.
A snapshot of MRC research into addiction
The MRC is currently funding several studies into addiction. These range from investigating the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and studying the effects on the brain of certain addictions, to testing cognitive therapy as a treatment for schizophrenic patients who are addicted to substances. For example:
- At the University of Cambridge, Professor Barry Everitt is studying the ‘neurobehavioural’ mechanisms that contribute to both prevention and persistence of drug addiction, focusing on the brain regions and neural circuitry involved. And in the same group Dr Jeffrey Dalley is investigating whether a type of behaviour called ‘trait impulsivity’, which makes individuals more prone to impulsive actions, is linked to drug addiction.
- At Bristol University, Professor David Nutt is analysing brain chemicals that may play a role in addiction to alcohol and opiates such as heroin.
- Professor Dai Stephens at the University of Sussex is studying the effects on alcoholics’ brains of repeatedly withdrawing from and starting drinking again, and whether any damage due to this makes it harder to give up drinking the next time.
- Dr Christine Barrowclough at the University of Manchester is studying substance misuse (such as drug addiction or alcoholism) in people with schizophrenia, and investigating whether cognitive therapy is beneficial in this group.
Useful Links
Addaction Addaction is the UK's leading drug and alcohol treatment agency. Its website provides information about the services and treatment it provides, as well as information about drugs and alcohol.
Action on Addiction
A UK research charity dedicated to seeking new ways to prevent and treat nicotine, alcohol and drug abuse. Its website includes information about addiction and research into combatting addiction.
DrugScope Independent centre of expertise on drugs, which aims to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk. Provides information about drugs, drug-use prevention and education, and policy and public affairs.
UK Government Foresight Project: brain science, addiction and drugs Aims to provide a challenging vision as to how scientific and technological advancement may impact on our understanding of addiction and drug use over the next 20 years.
