Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder of the brain's reward, motivation and memory circuitry characterised by compulsive engagement with a substance or behaviour despite harmful consequences and impaired control over use. At a neurobiological level it involves dysregulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic signalling…
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder of the brain's reward, motivation and memory circuitry characterised by compulsive engagement with a substance or behaviour despite harmful consequences and impaired control over use. At a neurobiological level it involves dysregulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic signalling, adaptations in prefrontal executive control, and persistent changes in synaptic plasticity that drive craving, tolerance and withdrawal. Substance use disorders span tobacco, alcohol, opioids and other psychoactive drugs, while behavioural addictions extend to problematic internet and gaming use, particularly among adolescents. Risk is multifactorial, shaped by genetic susceptibility, developmental stage, mental-health comorbidity, and social and environmental exposures, and addiction frequently co-occurs with cardiovascular risk, infectious disease and cancer-related pathways linked to tobacco and alcohol. Within preventive medicine, the emphasis falls on early identification of high-risk behaviour, screening, self-efficacy and smoking-cessation support, harm reduction, and psychological interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy, alongside pharmacological and neuropharmacological approaches. Research grounded here examines susceptibility in adolescents in digital environments, cessation strategies, the molecular and epigenetic links between tobacco or alcohol exposure and disease, and the role of mental-health promotion. The journal publishes peer-reviewed work on the prevention, behavioural management and biological basis of addictive disorders across diverse populations.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 64 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Addiction, linking to each citing work.