Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.04.12.038141v1?rss=1 Authors: Fouyssac, M., Puaud, M., Ducret, E., Marti-Prats, L., Vanhille, N., Ansquer, S., Zhang, X., Belin-Rauscent, A., Giuliano, C., Houeto, J.-L., Everitt, B., Belin, D. Abstract: The transition from controlled drug use to drug addiction depends on an interaction between a vulnerable individual, their environment and a drug. However, the determining factors of this interaction remain elusive. We show in rats that the environment influences the acquisition of drug intake through its effect on behavioral markers of resilience to addiction. In contrast, the development of both compulsive cocaine and alcohol intake is facilitated by the experiential factors associated with the initiation of drug taking in a negative, deprived, state occasioned by the contrast between enriched housing conditions and a relatively impoverished drug-taking setting. Similarly, the acquisition of alcohol drinking as a coping strategy promotes the development of compulsive intake. These data demonstrate that addiction vulnerability lies in environmentally determined experiential factors. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info