Addiction is a complex disorder that can be defined as a “loss of control over a reward-seeking behaviour” (Robert West, 2006). According to Kolb and Volkow (2010;2016), the cycle of addiction involves three stages, each of which implicate distinct neurobiological circuits: 1) Binge-intoxication; 2) Negative Affect and Withdrawal; 3) Preoccupation and Craving. This brief animation will explain these stages, along with the key neural structures that are impacted (and altered) by chronic drug use.

This video was shared by Carleton University