Nuclear Medicine Gives Clues to Drug Addiction
The study was done by taking drug addicts and non addicted subjects and giving them Ritalin, and “upper” drug. About half of the people who were not drug addicts said they found taking Ritalin to be enjoyable. 
In contrast, 90% of the drug addicts found it pleasurable. These people were given PET scans while they were on Ritalin. It was found that those who enjoyed the Ritalin had less dopamine receptor sites, and those who did not like the Ritalin had more receptor sites. The researchers believe this means that people who have lower levels of dopamine receptors are more prone to addiction, because the lack of dopamine receptors makes it an enjoyable experience.
The number of dopamine receptors can be influenced by the environment. This is because the environment can have neurobiological effects on the brain. People who are given plenty of affection while growing up have more dopamine receptors than people who are neglected growing up. It has also been shown that there is a correlation between poverty and low levels of dopamine receptors.
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Source:
- Kaiser, C.P. (2004, November) Imaging Untangles Mystery of Drug-Addicted Brain. Diagnostic Imaging, 19
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