HYBRID EVENT: Join us in person in Boston, Massachusetts, USA or attend virtually from anywhere.
7th Edition of Global Conference on
Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
October 19-21, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Reward Processing in Substance Use Disorders
Reward Processing in Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders (SUDs) fundamentally alter the brain's reward system, which is primarily governed by dopamine. Drugs hijack this system, providing exaggerated rewards that surpass natural stimuli, such as food or social interaction. Over time, this leads to diminished sensitivity, making ordinary pleasures less rewarding. The imbalance in reward processing perpetuates compulsive drug-seeking behaviors. Neuroimaging studies reveal significant changes in brain regions like the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, which regulate motivation and decision-making. Treatment approaches aim to recalibrate the reward system through behavioral therapies and medications, promoting the restoration of normal functioning.
Committee Members
Frederick J Goldstein
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, United States
Nile Stanley
University of North Florida, United States
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel
Curry College and NEALAC Clinic , United States GAB 2026 Speakers
John Michael Weber
Trauma Healed Life Coach, United States
Denis Larrivee
University of Navarra, Spain
Steve Cohen
Medvesta Hypnosis Healthcare, 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 and NEALAC Clinic , United States
Title : The effect of Balint training on self-efficacy and empathy among medical students and the moderator role of personality traits and choice of specialty
Meni Koslowsky, Ariel University, Israel
Title : Sexualizing anxiety and anxiolytic sex: Misattribution of arousal
Sam Vaknin, Commonwealth Institute of Advanced Professional Studies, United Kingdom
Title : Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde revealed: Tales from the default mode network
Christopher Ashton, TeDDs on Chapel, Centre for Recovery, Canada
Title : Integrating bibliopoetry therapy and digital health technologies for inflammation management: A neuropsychosomatic perspective
Nile Stanley, University of North Florida, United States
Title : Addiction and the failure of meaning-forming
Jenni Guentcheva, GoodNeighbor LLC, United States