George Koob, PhD explains drug addiction as a complex disorder comprised of elements of impulse control and compulsive disorders. He also sheds new light on how neurobiological and neuroadaptive mechanisms lead to a loss of control over drug taking. He argues that understanding the neuroadaptations in the reward, stress and executive function systems will provide new insights into identifying vulnerabilities to addiction and novel treatments. This presentation was delivered as part of the Recovery from Addiction (RFA) symposium, held in October 2012.