---
title: "Brain Changes in Addiction"
tags: addiction psychology
date: 2020-11-28 20:15:29
---

# Brain Changes in Addiction

# Brain Changes in Addiction

1. **Sensitization**: Hyper reactivity to addiction related cues. Greater wanting but less liking
2. **Desensitization**: Number pleasure response. Tolerance: need for higher doses or greater stimuli
3. **Hypofrontality**: Weakened impulse control. Increases cravings.
4. **Altered stress response**: Minor stress leads to cravings/relapse. Responsible for many withdrawal symptoms.

To know if someone is addicted, use the [[Addiction Assessment]]

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### Tags
#addiction #psychology