Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

While substance use disorders have an onset in childhood or adolescence, untreated substance use disorders typically progress into adulthood, growing in severity and becoming chronic, relapsing, and potentially fatal disorders. These behaviors that were traditionally viewed as stemming from poor “choices” appear to have strong neurobiological and genetic underpinnings. Understanding the causes of addiction and underlying neurobiological processes is an active area of research. Most of the current knowledge is derived from preclinical studies and animal models of addiction and the following is a brief review of the neurobiological basis of substance use disorders.

Keywords: Childhood, adolescence, behavior, substance use, substance use disorders