Drug Addiction: A Computational Multiscale Model Combining Neuropsychology, Cognition and Behavior

According to the United Nations, approximately 24.7 million people used amphetamines, 16 million used cocaine, and 12 million used heroin in 2006/07 [Costa, 2008]. Full recovery from drug addiction by chemical treatment and/or social and psychological support is uncertain. The present investigation was undertaken to expand our understanding of the factors that drive the dynamics of addiction. A new multiscale computational model is presented which integrates current theories of addiction, unlike previous models, considers addiction as a reversible process [Siegelmann, 2008]. Explicit time dependency is added to the inhibition and the compulsion processes. Preliminary computational predictions of drug-seeking behavior are presented and potential correlation with experimental data is discussed. Validation of the model appears promising, however additional investigation is required.