Can’t give it up: The science behind addiction and the brain

For this episode of Up Close, behavioural neuroscientist Professor Andrew Lawrence joins host Dr Andi Horvath to discuss addictive and compulsive behaviours around drug and alcohol use.

He talks about the power of psychological dependence, and how the brains of addicts differ from those of the rest of us.

“In reality physical dependence can be managed quite quickly. But then there’s psychological dependence, which is a much more complicated issue and that really is the key to long term relapse propensity,” says Professor Lawrence.

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