The brain disease model of addiction (BDMA) purports that addiction is, fundamentally, a chronic and relapsing brain disease. The main argument is that drug use alters the brain's reward system and circuitry.

Brain Disease Model of Addiction (BDMA)

There are a few common perspectives on the neuroscience of addiction. One common and widely cited perspective is the brain disease model of addiction (BDMA). Another plausible alternative is Marc Lewis' neurodevelopmental model.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

As the relapse prevention model discusses, many individuals recovering from addiction return to their behavior at some point during/after treatment. Researchers have begun to look at this idea of relapse and relapse prevention from a neuroscience perspective. This perspective could help further the understanding of why, on a brain level, individuals relapse and how we could possibly help. There is not a large consensus yet, but the research is looking at many factors including pathways, styles, and stages of recovery, as well as the possibility of reversing or diminishing the brain dysregulation that results from addiction.

Neuroscience approach to relapse and relapse prevention

Hall, W., Carter, A., & Barnett, A. (2017). Disease or developmental disorder: Competing perspectives on the neuroscience of addiction. Neuroethics, 10(1), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-017-9303-1

Disease or developmental disorder: Competing perspectives on the neuroscience of addiction

There are 4 distinct and encompassing benefits that can result from using a neuroscience perspective when researching and understanding addiction

- Provide information to inform clinicians in planning and providing care for those with substance addictions
- Providing patients and their families with accurate information on what to expect throughout the course of treatment
- Inform public policy with regard to addiction
- Increasing basic knowledge about the brain: how it works, how it acquires dysfunction, and how it heals

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