Drug Addiction - PSY00056M

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

In this course we'll be getting to grips with the full force of drug addiction and so will be taking an in-depth look at the causes of addiction from both psychological and biological perspectives, including the emotional consequences as experienced by real people. Theories of drug addiction and related therapies will be assessed in light of earlier work carried out during the module.

Each session will consist of a lecture by Gavin Phillips followed by discussion groups, from small to the group as a whole..

Module learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate the research literature which suggests that the neurotransmitter dopamine may be key in mediating the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse.
  • Discuss the implications of research findings suggesting that the 'natural' function of the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection is to mediate the behavioural control exerted by secondary reinforcers.
  • Describe the neurological bases of drug craving and evaluate the extent to which craving is dependent on midbrain dopamine.
  • Critically evaluate the potential role of stressful events in subsequent dopaminergic sensitisation, and consequent implications for addictive susceptibility.
  • Show a deep understanding of current theories of drug addiction, and be able to clearly articulate the main points for and against each theory

Module content

  • Introduction to Drug Addiction
  • Neural Bases of Reward
  • Dopamine & Conditioning
  • Drug Craving
  • Sensitisation
  • Drug ‘Wanting’ vs. Drug ‘Liking’
  • Addiction: From Actions to Habits
  • Treatment Options
  • Theories of Drug Addiction
  • Revision

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Although there is no textbook for the course, relevant sections of the following book on learning and memory, reward and addiction are superb, and would provide suitable background information:

Carlson, NR. (2016). Physiology of Behaviour. 12th Edition. Allyn & Bacon, MA, USA.