The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction

Abstract

Rationale Love has long been referred to as an addiction in literature and poetry. Scientists have often made comparisons between social attachment processes and drug addiction, and it has been suggested that the two may share a common neurobiological mechanism. Brain systems that evolved to govern attachments between parents and children, and between monogamous partners, may be the targets of drugs of abuse and serve as the basis for addiction processes. Objectives Here, we review research on drug addiction in parallel with research on social attachments, including parent-offspring attachments and social bonds between mating partners. This review focuses on the brain regions and neurochemicals with the greatest overlap between addiction and attachment, and in particular the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. Results Significant overlap exists between these two behavioral processes. In addition to conceptual overlap in symptomatology, there is a strong commonality between the two domains regarding the roles and sites of action of dopamine, opioids, and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin are hypothesized to integrate social information into attachment processes that is not present in drug addiction. Conclusions Social attachment may be understood as a behavioral addiction, whereby the subject becomes addicted to another individual and the cues that predict social reward. Understandings from both fields may enlighten future research on addiction and attachment processes.

The effects of social learning on the acquisition of cocaine self-administration

“…The neurobiological mechanisms responsible for the effects of social learning on drug selfadministration are not known, but candidate systems are those that process information regarding both drug and social stimuli (see reviews by Bardo et al, 2013;Burkett and Young, 2012;McGregor and Bowen, 2012). For instance, the amygdaloid complex plays a critical role in the assimilation of interoceptive (i.e., drug effects) and exteroceptive (i.e., social environment) stimuli and may serve as a locus of integration for drug and social reinforcement (Badiani, 2013).…”

Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

“…One line of evidence suggests that MDMA produces these effects by releasing oxytocin, a peptide involved in social bonding (Bos et al, 2011). Oxytocin has also been linked to drug abuse in other contexts: Burkett and Young (2012) point to striking resemblances between addiction and social bonding and attachment, noting substantial overlap between the endogenous oxytocin and drug reward systems, and McGregor and Bowen (2012) have proposed that oxytocin may be a safe and effective treatment for drug addiction. Together, these links suggest that there may be commonalities in the prosocial subjective, cognitive, and behavioral effects of MDMA and oxytocin.…”

Sensory processing disorders among substance dependents

“…Sensory processing involves the registration, modulation and the internal organization of sensory input (HUMPHRY, 2002). Sensory processing abilities shape cognitive perception, emotions and behavior (CALVERT; SPENCE; STEIN, 2004). Thus, people must constantly process incoming sensory information to effectively interact with their environment.…”