Conceptualizing Addiction From an Osteopathic Perspective: Dopamine Homeostasis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

• Addiction is a significant public health issue in the US.
• Understanding addiction's causes and effective treatments, particularly for substance use disorders, remains challenging.
• Research indicates addiction stems from neurobiological changes, specifically involving dopamine in the brain's reward pathway, rather than a lack of willpower.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the role of dopamine homeostasis in addiction management.
• To propose integrating osteopathic philosophy into addiction treatment strategies.
• To encourage osteopathic primary care physicians to treat patients with substance use disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on addiction, neuroscience, and osteopathic principles.
• Discussion of dopamine's role in the reward pathway and addiction.
• Exploration of homeostasis and allostasis in osteopathic philosophy.

Main Results:

• Addiction is characterized by dysregulated neuronal mechanisms, particularly dopamine pathways.
• Osteopathic philosophy emphasizes total body homeostasis and allostasis.
• Dopamine homeostasis can be a target within a comprehensive biopsychosocial addiction treatment model.

Conclusions:

• Achieving dopamine homeostasis is a crucial component of effective addiction management.
• Integrating osteopathic principles offers a holistic approach to treating substance use disorders.
• Osteopathic primary care physicians can play a vital role in addressing the addiction crisis.