Bad Habits-good Goals? Meta-analysis and Translation of the Habit Construct to Alcoholism

Overview

Journal Transl Psychiatry

Specialties Psychiatry
Public Health

Date 2024 Jul 19

PMID 39030169

Authors

F Giannone

C Ebrahimi

T Endrass

A C Hansson

F Schlagenhauf

W H Sommer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Excessive alcohol consumption remains a global public health crisis, with millions suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD, or simply "alcoholism"), leading to significantly reduced life expectancy. This review examines the interplay between habitual and goal-directed behaviors and the associated neurobiological changes induced by chronic alcohol exposure. Contrary to a strict habit-goal dichotomy, our meta-analysis of the published animal experiments combined with a review of human studies reveals a nuanced transition between these behavioral control systems, emphasizing the need for refined terminology to capture the probabilistic nature of decision biases in individuals with a history of chronic alcohol exposure. Furthermore, we distinguish habitual responding from compulsivity, viewing them as separate entities with diverse roles throughout the stages of the addiction cycle. By addressing species-specific differences and translational challenges in habit research, we provide insights to enhance future investigations and inform strategies for combatting AUD.

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