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What are the neurological mechanisms all these drives have in common?

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Are drug and alcohol addiction just like any other physical craving, for example hunger, thirst, or sex?

What are the neurological mechanisms all these drives have in common? Does the body go through the same physiological processes and responses regardless of the type of craving? How are they similar? How are they different?

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Solution Summary

In this solution, we explain the biological processes behind rewards, both natural and artificial (drugs) including the brain areas. We also explain the differences between these kind of reinforcers and how they affect and change the brain and alter different types of craving.

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Hi... I explained the biological processes behind rewards, both natural and artificial (drugs) including the brain areas. I also explained the differences between these kind of reinforcers and how they affect and change the brain and alter different types of craving.

Neurological Mechanisms of Drive

The short answer to your question is that, yes, drugs and alcohol work in a very similar manner in the brain to natural rewards like food and sex. There is a part of the brain that gets activated whenever an organism ingests something that it finds to be rewarding or motivating. Motivating is a better word because stress also activates this part of the brain. Natural rewards such as food, water, sex, and social interaction activate the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which has a lot of the neurotransmitter dopamine in it. When ...

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