Substance Use Disorders 419
9.11 • Feedback Loops In Action:
Substance Use Disorders
Figure 9.11g9
Brain Systems
Neural Communication
Mental Processes and
Mental Contents
Family and Peers
Gender/Culture
Nucleus accumbens
Ventral tegmental
area
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Dopamine and, depending
on the substance abused,
GABA, glutamate, serotonin,
norepinephrine, cannabinoids
Genetics
Inherited risk for
alcoholism and other
substance use disorders
Expectancies about
substance’s effects and
substance use as (failed)
coping strategy
Behavior
Observational learning
of expectancies about
substance use and how
to cope by using
substances
Positive reinforcement
and negative
reinforcement
Classical conditioning of
drug cues
Affect
Anxiety or depression lessened
by substance, but abuse and
dependence create anxiety
and poor mood
Different social conventions
of substance use for men
and women over time
Legal consequences
Stressful Life Events
Economic hardship
and unemployment
Dysfunctional family
interactions
Distant relationship
with parents
Level of peers’ substance
use associated with an
individual’s substance use
Norms and perceived norms
NeuroPsychoSocial
NeuroPsychoSocial NeuroPsychoSocial