Event summary: “Addiction Has Many Names – Co-occurrence of Drug Addiction and Mental Disorders”

On September 16th, at the Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Center in Paris, Prof. Grażyna Biała, PhD, DSc from the Medical University of Lublin a lecture titled “Addiction Has Many Names – Co-occurrence of Drug Addiction and Mental Disorders,”. The event attracted an audience interested in mental health and pharmacology, as well as individuals from outside these scientific fields, thanks to its popular science format.

This lecture was particularly special for us, as Professor Biała has been a frequent guest at our Station throughout her academic career, conducting research stays in collaboration with French institutions.

In her presentation, Prof. Biała explained the mechanisms of drug action on the brain and the co-occurrence of drug addiction and mental disorders. She emphasized that addiction is not merely a behavioral issue but primarily a brain disease, in which the reward system and the neurotransmitter dopamine play a key role. Attendees learned how psychoactive substances can mimic symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and how their use is often an attempt at self-medication.

The topic of “dual diagnosis” – the simultaneous presence of addiction and mental disorder – was also addressed. Prof. Biała discussed the shared neurobiological mechanisms of these phenomena, highlighting the role of the hippocampus, as well as genetic and environmental factors influencing the development of both types of disorders.

The subjects covered in the lecture are part of the PHC Polonium scientific project, conducted in collaboration with the Groupe de Recherche sur l’Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances (GRAP) at Université Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV) in Amiens. Prof. Biała leads the project on the Polish side.

After the lecture, participants had the opportunity to speak directly with the speaker during a coffee meeting. The discussions were lively, reflecting strong interest in the topic and the need for continued education in the field of mental health and addiction.

We sincerely thank Professor Biała for her lecture, all attendees for their presence, and we warmly invite you to future events organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Station in Paris.