Advances
in neuroscience have allowed doctors and scientists to dive deep into the
brain’s functioning to better understand the cause of addiction. The brain’s
reward system plays a major role, alongside many other factors.
For far too long
now, the stigma of drug abuse has led many people to believe that addicts lack
willpower, and that they should be able to ‘just stop’ taking drugs. After all,
millions of people experiment with drugs and alcohol each year without ever
becoming addicted. However, the recent developments in neurobiology have given
a better insight into what addiction actually is. By studying the brain’s
reaction to different substances, scientists have been able to discover that
drug abuse can actually alter the chemical makeup of the brain, which is what
causes addiction.
How Does Drug Abuse Affect the Brain?
The brain sits at
the epicentre of human activity. In order to do, feel or think anything, the brain is involved. It is the
communication centre for the rest of the body, constantly sending out messages
to different parts of the body through neurons,
neurotransmitters, receptors and transporters.
When it comes to
drug abuse, the regular communication pathways are interrupted. The National
Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains it as follows:
“Drugs
are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system
and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process
information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons
because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter.
This similarity in structure “fools” receptors and allows the drugs to attach
onto and activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain’s own
chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural
neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being transmitted through
the network. Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause the neurons
to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the
normal recycling of these brain chemicals. This disruption produces a greatly
amplified message, ultimately disrupting communication channels.”
Understanding the Brain’s Reward System
When a person
partakes in a pleasurable activity – be it a sexual encounter, a delicious
meal, a monetary gain or even taking a mood-altering drug – the brain processes
these different types of pleasure in the same way. Each of these pleasurable encounters
cause a release
of of the neurotransmitter dopamine into a cluster of nerve cells just
below the cerebral cortex,
called the nucleus accumbens. Because this part of the brain is so closely tied
to pleasure, it is often referred to as the brain’s reward or pleasure centre.
The reward system
is present in the brain to ensure that humans repeat life-sustaining activities
such as eating food, drinking water and mating. When people take drugs or drink
alcohol, however, it basically sends the system into overdrive.
The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Reward
System
Drugs cause a
massive surge of dopamine in the brain – far more than one would experience
during a meal or other natural rewards. The amount of dopamine released by
drugs is usually 2 to 10 times higher than natural rewards, and the “feel good”
sensation usually lasts much longer. Drugs also cause the brain to
release dopamine much more quickly than a natural reward as well.
There are three
main factors that contribute to the likelihood of a drug being addictive which
are as follows:
·
The
speed with which it promotes dopamine release.
·
The
intensity or strength of the dopamine release.
·
The
reliability of the dopamine release.
This is why the
most addictive drugs of abuse are often smoked or injected – the drug makes its
way to the brain much faster and with a great intensity. In turn, it promotes a
rapid, intense burst of dopamine – giving the body such a high “feel good”
sensation that the brain simply wants more of it once it starts to wear off. And
because the pleasure is so much greater than that of natural rewards, the
brain begins to want more and more of it to produce the same feeling – after
all, that part of the brain exists to encourage humans to repeat activities
that trigger the release of dopamine.
Tolerance and Addiction in the Brain
If the sun is too
bright, you put on sunglasses. If the volume on your television is too loud,
you turn it down. The brain works in a similar way. In an effort to adjust
itself to these surges of dopamine (and other neurotransmitters), the brain
reacts by producing less dopamine or by shrinking the amount of receptors that
can receive the signal. This means that the ability to feel pleasure from any activity is significantly reduced.
Natural rewards barely register in the reward system anymore, leaving the
person feeling deflated, depressed and unable to enjoy the activities they once
found pleasurable – and instead they seek dopamine-flooding drugs. Because the
brain’s reward system is less reactive, a person will also need to take more of
the drug than before in order to get the same feeling. This is what is called
tolerance.
Other Contributing Factors to Addiction
In order to become
addicted to a substance, of course, one must take the substance in the first
place. But as mentioned earlier, many people are capable of experimenting with
drugs (or alcohol) without any ill effects. So what is it that makes some
people get addicted?
Scientists have
concluded that the cause of addiction is 50-60% genetics and 40-50%
environment. Some people have less active reward centres, causing them to feel
depressed and lifeless even before they experiment with drugs. For many, the
first experimentation with drugs is an attempt to fill a void. Famous singer
and recovering addict Lucky Ali said, “Drugs and alcohol are
not my problem, reality is my problem, drugs and alcohol are my solution.” He continued, “I look to drugs and
booze to fill up a hole in me.”
In other cases mental
illness, child abuse, addicted parents or other factors play a role in the
development of addiction.
The important thing to understand, however, is that once drug abuse has
affected the brain’s reward system, it is usually incredibly difficult or
impossible to stop using without professional addiction treatment.
Getting the Right Addiction Treatment
Shafa Home is a
residential rehab centre that offers a unique and effective treatment programme
for those suffering from drug abuse and addiction. Combining Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and our own Recovery
Zones we are
able to work with clients to re-train the brain, making it possible to stop
using. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, contact
us today
Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of
alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for
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