Every person enjoys the small rewards that life has to offer. Whether tasting scrumptious meals, listening to their favorite music or feeling good after exercise, these are all the fruits that life blesses us with. But a few believe that the high from drug and alcohol abuse might be more prominent and satisfying than natural rewards.
This is the reason why people get addicted to drugs. These drugs produce a rewarding, euphoric high unmatched by any other natural pleasure. Thus, natural benefits can appear small and less rewarding in comparison. But to find out whether drug or alcohol addiction is a disease read till the end.
A Brief Overview
Contrary to popular belief, addictions aren’t a result of moral weakness, a lack of resolve, or a refusal to stop. This comes from decades of research on the effects of drug use on the brain.
Individuals who experiment with drugs or alcohol for the first time believe they are in command. They fail to recognize one crucial factor: Achieving the same feeling every time requires more and more alcohol or drugs over time.
Thus, what begins as voluntary behavior eventually develops into addiction. This is marked by compulsive drug seeking and use. Let’s dive further into the topic to understand how these affect our brains.
How Does it Affect Our Brain?
Substance misuse alters the structure of the brain, rewiring it. These substances and narcotics disrupt the brain’s communication system. They interfere with how nerve cells send, receive, and process information.
When they enter the brain, they can do the following:
- Attempt to mimic naturally occurring brain chemicals.
- Trigger the release of brain chemicals in large amounts.
- Prevent the regeneration and resorption of brain chemicals.
Doing what we enjoy activates the brain’s natural reward system to release dopamine, which provides a sense of pleasure. It is the same molecule released during drug or alcohol consumption, too. Just like the smell of a pie baking can make your mouth salivate, a possible trigger might make you crave drugs too.
Additionally, addiction affects judgment, decision-making, learning, and the memory of the brain.
What Makes Drugs and Alcohol Addictive?
People become addicted to drugs or alcohol for a variety of reasons. But the most important reason is the rewarding high that the dopamine rush provides. The release of dopamine makes us feel good, and it triggers the brain to repeat the activity.
Doing drugs prompts the brain to release more dopamine than usual. The brain starts cutting back on dopamine release to compensate for this excess. And as you continue to use drugs, your body produces less and less dopamine. Things that used to naturally please you no longer do.
So, when not on drugs, the person might start feeling lethargic and depressed. And this triggers the brain’s response to doing whatever it takes to relieve the pain. This includes overruling the will to say NO to that substance or drink.
Thus, studies say that addiction is a brain disease.
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Who is Most at Risk?
For years, researchers have debated whether a person is likely to become addicted. The question is whether it’s a result of their biology or upbringing. The reasons might vary for different individuals.
People most likely to be at risk of addiction include:
- To stop feeling distressed, people suffering from depression, anxiety, or high stress might turn to drugs or alcohol.
- Those willing to keep up with the high competition might turn to some reputed drugs to boost academic or athletic performance.
- People, usually adolescents, are likely to rely on drugs to try and fit in or impress their peers.
- Those with a family history of addiction and mental illness.
- Children with a chaotic family environment or unsupportive parents.
- Those with adverse childhood experiences like physical, mental, or sexual abuse.
- Children who come from schools that focus on impractical achievement standards.
- Not to mention – those who have easy access to drugs and alcohol.
Yet, not everyone responds to drugs and alcohol the same way. While some experience intense pleasure for the very first time, others don’t.
What are the Treatment Options?
You can make a choice the first time you do drugs or take alcohol, but not over how your brain starts reacting to it. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing, and incurable disorder. A person with diabetes has to choose lifestyle changes and exercise to control their disease. Similarly, someone with an addiction has to choose treatment to manage it.
These treatments can vary based on:
- the substance you’re abusing,
- your mental health needs,
- and what care options you can afford.
Here’s the list of six treatment options you can choose from:
- Detoxification: Medically-assisted detox flushes out addictive substances from your body. Usually combined with other treatment options, it happens in a safe environment.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT recognizes unhealthy behavioral patterns and identifies triggers. Then helps in developing suitable coping mechanisms.
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT): REBT helps recognize your negative thought patterns. It offers ways to combat self-defeat by amplifying your rational thinking.
- Contingency Management (CM): CM helps to combat a wide variety of addictions. This includes alcohol and narcotics too. It gives you accurate results by reinforcing your positive behavior.
- 12-Step Facilitation: A form of group therapy that begins with acceptance. It then moves on to surrender to a higher power. And then transitioning to involvement in group meetings. It recognizes that addiction harms social, emotional, physical, and spiritual levels.
- Treatment with Medication: This type of treatment combines medication and behavioral therapies. It helps reduce cravings, mood, and withdrawal symptoms in patients.
Get Started With a Trusted Therapist With DocVita Today!
There is no right or wrong time to seek professional help to treat, manage, and live with this disorder. If you or someone you care about is abusing drugs or alcohol, feel free to ask for help.
At DocVita, you’re treated as individuals, not just as “addicts.” You’ll get assessments and therapies according to your needs and condition. You can reap the most significant benefits from the trusted mental health experts at DocVita.
All you need to do is book an appointment today!