Abnormal Psychology

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