Love and addiction: The devil is in the differences: A commentary on the behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction.

摘要

In their review in the current special issue, Burkett and Young (2012) describe the striking similarities that are observed between attachment and addiction. The idea of love as an addictive drug has been described in art and literature across the ages, as well as by modern scientists (Insel 2003; MacLean 1990). Recent advances have demonstrated that both attachment figures and drugs of abuse are highly rewarding stimuli that lead to long-term changes in physiology and behavior, often utilizing the same neural substrates. The review is thorough and intriguing; however, focusing too narrowly on the similarities between attachment and addiction may hinder our broader understanding of their individual biology as well as their interactions. Indeed, there are significant ways in which addiction and attachment differ, and these merit consideration. Although a fall review and discussion of these differences is beyond the scope of this commentary, we provide examples in each neurobiology and behavior.