Addictive drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine disrupt the presynaptic dopamine
neurotransmission, which enhances synaptic dopamine. This happens through the modulation of synaptic mechanisms
involved in learning, as well as enhanced excitation or disinhibition of
dopamine neuron activity and blockade of dopamine reuptake, which augment
striatal dopamine neurotransmission by means that dissociate it from normal
drive by environmental cues.
