7th Edition of Global Conference on
Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
October 19-21, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Reward System Dysfunction
The brain's reward system plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. In individuals with addiction, the reward system may become dysregulated, leading to a heightened response to substances and a diminished ability to feel pleasure from non-addictive activities. Dysfunction in key areas, such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, can alter the release and processing of dopamine, reinforcing addictive behaviors. This dysregulation can create a vicious cycle where the individual continually seeks the substance or behavior to achieve the pleasurable feeling, even in the face of negative consequences. Treatment often involves therapies aimed at restoring balance within the reward system, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and mindfulness practices.
John Michael Weber
Trauma Healed Life Coach, United States
Frederick J Goldstein
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, United States
Nile Stanley
University of North Florida, United States
Andrew Drasen
A Vision of Hope Media, United States
John Michael Weber
Trauma Healed Life Coach, United States
Denis Larrivee
University of Navarra, Spain
Sam Vaknin
CIAPS, Cambridge, United KingdomSubmit your abstract Today
Title : Integrating bibliopoetry therapy and digital health technologies for inflammation management: A neuropsychosomatic perspective
Nile Stanley, University of North Florida, United States
Title : PIVOT: Predictive intervention for vaping using resonance modeling of oscillatory, psychological, and trigger dynamics
Aadya, Issaquah High School, United States
Title : The storm within: Neuropsychological insights into dysregulation and substance use in the adolescent brain
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel, Curry College, United States
Title : Addiction and the failure of meaning-forming
Jenni Guentcheva, GTI, United States
Title : What to do when a tragedy strikes
Alphonsus Obayuwana, Triple-H Project LLC, United States
Title : Reward deficiency syndrome solution patient claims ‘dopamine homeostasis’ provided the neurological stability to begin focusing upon healing psychic fracture associated with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder dissociative multiplicity
Elizabeth Dale Gilley, The Elle Foundation, United States