7th Edition of Global Conference on
Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
October 19-21, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Neural Pathways in Addiction
Addiction alters neural pathways in the brain, particularly those involved in reward, motivation, and decision-making. Repeated exposure to addictive substances or behaviors changes the structure and function of these pathways, making them more sensitive to cues associated with the addictive behavior. The brain regions most impacted by addiction include the mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. These changes result in impaired judgment, compulsive behavior, and an inability to control cravings. Over time, the individual may feel driven to continue using the substance or engaging in the behavior despite negative consequences. Neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt, plays a key role in recovery, as therapeutic interventions can help rewire these pathways toward healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms.
Nile Stanley
University of North Florida, United States
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel
Curry College, United States
Edie Raether
NeuroShifts and Wings for Wishes Academy, United States
Sindu Padmanabhan
Bharathiar University, India
Kayla Albers
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, United States
Jorja Jamison
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, United States
Andrew Drasen
A Vision of Hope Media, United StatesSubmit your abstract Today
Title : The Storm Within: Neuropsychological Insights into Dysregulation and Substance Use in the Adolescent Brain.
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel, Curry College, United States
Title : Sexualizing anxiety and anxiolytic sex: Misattribution of arousal
Sam Vaknin, CIAPS, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Title : Workplace and occupational mental health: Supporting well-being at work
Sindu Padmanabhan, Bharathiar University, India
Title : Resilience in counseling: Processing grief for the addictions counselor
Kayla Albers, Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, United States
Title : Resilience in counseling: Processing grief for the addictions counselor
Jorja Jamison, Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, United States
Title : Identity restoration as a missing variable in relapse prevention
Andrew Drasen, A Vision of Hope Media, United States