Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6260316 | Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences | 2017 | 8 Pages |
â¢Cognitive mechanisms of addiction include automatic and controlled processes.â¢Strengthening of automatic and weakening of controlled processes are multicausal.â¢Automatic processes can disrupt substance use-related self-awareness.â¢Promising new therapeutic strategies target various mechanisms of addiction.â¢More research is needed to examine effectiveness of neurocognitive rehabilitation.
Fundamental to cognitive models of addiction is the gradual strengthening of automatic, urge-related responding that develops in tandem with the diminution of self-control-related processes aimed at inhibiting impulses. Recent conceptualizations of addiction also include a third set of cognitive processes related to self-awareness and superordinate regulation of self-control and other higher brain function. This review describes new human research evidence and theoretical developments related to the multicausal strengthening of urge-related responding and failure of self-control in addiction, and the etiology of disrupted self-awareness and rational decision-making associated with continued substance use. Recent progress in the development of therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms of addiction is reviewed, including cognitive bias modification, mindfulness training, and neurocognitive rehabilitation.