Positive Emotion Regulation in Addiction: A New Frontier for Recovery Science.

IF 4.6 2区医学 Q1 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Current Addiction Reports Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-10 DOI:10.1007/s40429-026-00741-3

Eric L Garland

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Abstract

Purpose of review: Addiction has traditionally been framed as a disorder of negative affect and impaired downregulation of distress, yet disturbances in positive emotional experience and regulation are equally fundamental to the development and persistence of substance use disorders (SUDs). This review synthesizes clinical and psychophysiological evidence documenting the impact of addictive substances on positive emotion dysregulation, and highlights the role of positive emotion regulation on craving and drug relapse.

Recent findings: Individuals who engage in addictive use of opioids, nicotine, cannabis, and stimulants exhibit blunted positive affect, diminished responsiveness to natural rewards, and deficits in the volitional upregulation of positive emotion. These impairments reflect neuroplastic alterations in corticostriatal and corticolimbic circuits that weaken endogenous reward generation, and erode the capacity to derive pleasure from, and savor, everyday experiences.

Summary: Addiction is underpinned by positive emotion dysregulation. Restoring positive affective functioning through positive emotion regulation interventions may revolutionize addiction recovery.

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成瘾中的积极情绪调节：康复科学的新前沿。

回顾目的：成瘾传统上被认为是一种负面影响和痛苦下调障碍，然而积极情绪体验和调节障碍同样是物质使用障碍（SUDs）发展和持续的基础。本文综述了成瘾物质对积极情绪失调影响的临床和心理生理证据，并强调了积极情绪调节在渴望和药物复发中的作用。最近的研究发现：沉迷于阿片类药物、尼古丁、大麻和兴奋剂的个体表现出迟钝的积极情绪，对自然奖励的反应减弱，积极情绪的意志上调不足。这些损伤反映了皮质纹状体和皮质边缘回路的神经可塑性改变，这些改变削弱了内源性奖励的产生，削弱了从日常经历中获得快乐和品味的能力。总结：成瘾是由积极情绪失调造成的。通过积极情绪调节干预恢复积极情感功能可能会彻底改变成瘾康复。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Current Addiction Reports Psychology-Clinical Psychology

CiteScore

6.60

自引率

4.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： This journal focuses on the prevention, assessment and diagnosis, and treatment of addiction. Designed for physicians and other mental health professionals who need to keep up-to-date with the latest research, Current Addiction Reports offers expert reviews on the most recent and important research in addiction. We accomplish this by appointing leaders in the field to serve as Section Editors in key subject areas and disciplines, such asAlcoholTobaccoStimulants, cannabis, and club drugsBehavioral addictionsGender disparities in addictionComorbid psychiatric disorders and addictionSubstance abuse disorders and HIVSection Editors, in turn, select the most pressing topics as well as experts to evaluate the latest research, report on any controversial discoveries or hypotheses of interest, and ultimately bring readers up-to-date on the topic. Articles represent interdisciplinary endeavors with research from fields such as psychiatry, psychology, pharmacology, epidemiology, and neuroscience.Additionally, an international Editorial Board—representing a range of disciplines within addiction medicine—ensures that the journal content includes current, emerging research and suggests articles of special interest to their country or region.