Addiction is often seen as a personal weakness or a matter of wrong choices. But why does one person become addicted, while another retains control with the same behaviour? In a new episode of EUR Explained, Janna Cousijn, associate professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, shares what ten years of brain research teaches us about this.
In the Netherlands, one in fifteen adults drinks excessively. This figure is not an isolated one. Scientists see that addiction arises at the intersection of motivation, control and environment. This mechanism takes place not only in daily practice, but also in the brain.
Young people are especially vulnerable. That is precisely why preventing young people from starting early is so important. Yet that responsibility does not lie solely with them. The social environment plays a major role, for example in how substance use is normalised or discouraged.
Curious how this works exactly?
In the video, Janna Cousijn explains how these factors influence each other and why this insight is crucial for everyone who has to deal with this.
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More science stories? Have a look at our online magazine Erasmus Extra.
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For more information, please contact Marjolein Kooistra of Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences through e-mail.- Related links
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Janna Cousijn appointed professor of Addiction Risk & Resilience; From Brain to Society
