Assignment: Effects of Alcohol on Dopamine (Neurotransmitters) System
Use this outline as subtopics. More information on the attached file
• Explain how alcohol affects the dopamine neurotransmitter system with references to scientific journals.
• Briefly outline what the dopamine system is responsible for and its role in substance abuse and addiction.
• Explain why effects of drugs on dopamine system are important for understanding of addiction.
• Explain how changes in the dopamine system from repeated drug use can lead to a cycle of relapse or addiction with references to scientific journals. Give an example of how repeated drug use (of alcohol) can lead to difficulty abstaining and repeated relapse, and how changes in the dopamine system contribute to this behavioral pattern. N/B Refer to psychological theories/principles regarding addiction to answer this part.
• Explain how your chosen drug affects the dopamine neurotransmitter system.
o With reference to scientific journal articles, explain how your chosen drug affects the functioning of the dopamine system. In order to fully answer this part of the question you will need to briefly outline what the dopamine system is responsible for and its role in substance abuse and addiction. Why are the effects of drugs on the dopamine system important for our understanding of addiction?
• Explain how changes in the dopamine system from repeated drug use can lead to a cycle of relapse and addiction.
o With reference to scientific journal articles, explain how changes in the dopamine system resulting from repeated drug use can lead to a cycle of relapse and addiction. You may wish to use your chosen drug as a specific example in explaining how repeated drug use can lead to difficulty abstaining and repeated relapse, and how changes in the dopamine system contribute to this behavioural pattern. You may need to refer to psychological theories and/or principles regarding addiction to fully answer this part of the question.
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the assignment, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.