The Importance of Targeting Neural Mechanisms for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

The podcast episode discusses the intersection between neuroscience and psychosocial treatments for substance use disorders. It emphasizes the need to target neural mechanisms in order to enhance the efficacy of current psychosocial treatments. The main focus is on two specific areas: distress tolerance and reward processing. Distress tolerance refers to an individual's ability to tolerate stress and manage emotions, which plays a crucial role in substance use disorders. Reward processing, on the other hand, refers to an individual's motivation for substance-free rewards and engagement in enjoyable activities without relying on substances. The podcast highlights that while evidence-based psychosocial treatments exist, there are still challenges and limitations in achieving successful outcomes. Therefore, the episode explores the potential of using brain stimulation, such as transcranial alternating stimulation, to target specific neural mechanisms associated with distress tolerance and reward processing. The aim is to enhance engagement in treatment and improve overall treatment outcomes.