Topic 7: Addiction

Question 1

Adverse effects of alcohol on the brain

Answer 1

• whole brain atrophy
• decreased subcortical white matter
• decreased gray matter of the prefrontal and parietal lobes
• decreased overall brain weight
• disruption of the hippocampus

Question 2

Definition of a drug addiction

Answer 2

Drug addiction is characterized by ongoing drug-seeking and drug-taking despite an apparent awareness of associated adverse consequences (suggests impaired decision making)