One of the major problems facing our society is drug abuse and addiction, which has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the country in recent years. In order to better understand this disorder and advocate for treatment for patients, physicians need updated information on the current research in addiction medicine. In my lecture, I review the current model of addiction as a disease of the brain and review the stages of addiction, as they relate to changes in the neurobiology of the brain. This will provide physicians with a better understanding of the relationship between chemical changes in the brain, brain function and addiction and broaden an understanding of addiction as a brain disease.

Learning Objectives:
1. give an overview of the current theory of addiction as a brain disease
2. review the stages of addiction associated with this model
3. explain the concept of neuroplasticity and how neuroplastic changes in brain chemistry and synapses account for the characteristic behaviors seen in addiction.