Drug abuse: a biopsychiatric model.

Drug abuse: a biopsychiatric model.

Giannini A J; Miller N S

American Family Physician

1989

1989-11

The effects of drug abuse are caused by the stimulation or inhibition of different neurotransmitters, chiefly gamma-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and beta-endorphin. The biopsychiatric model focuses on neurotransmitter activity to diagnose and treat overdose and addiction. This model explains how different drugs exert their effects and provides a rationale for specific pharmacologic intervention in the drug-abusing patient.

Humans; *Substance-Related Disorders/metabolism; Amphetamines; Cocaine; Hallucinogens; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Narcotics; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism/physiology; Phencyclidine; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy; Biological; *Models

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

173–182

5

40