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Subconscious cues 'can trigger drug cravings'

Research has uncovered a link between exposure to images of drugs and substance cravings.

In the study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Nida), researchers presented drug addicts with drug-related pictures such as those of crack pipes and chunks of cocaine.

Despite the pictures being flashed up so quickly that the patients were not consciously aware they had seen them, it was found that the subconscious cues triggered the patients' brains emotional centres.

NIDA director Dr. Nora Volkow said: "This is the first evidence that cues outside one's awareness can trigger rapid activation of the circuits driving drug-seeking behavior."

Dr Volkow added that understanding how the brain "initiates the overwhelming desire for drugs" will help uncover how to treat the addiction.

The researchers from the University of Pennsylvania led by Dr. Anna Rose Childress and Dr. Charles O’Brien, also found that the drug images activated similar regions of the brain to those stimulated by sexual images.

This implies that addictive drugs take over the areas of the brain that should normally recognise natural rewards necessary for survival such as food and sex.

Research published last month suggests a biological reason for some people becoming long-term cocaine addicts, as oppose to others who can use the drug socially but not become dependent.

See http://www.plosone.org/doi/pone.0001506 for more information on this study.

Article published on 31/03/2008 by DryOutNow.com

DryOutNow.com provides highly practical help for people with alcohol problems, their friends and relatives. DryOutNow.com also provides free resources for healthcare professionals such as medical information and alcohol treatment guidelines.

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