Addiction and Science
How does addiction affect the brain?
Addictive drugs and alcohol create changes in the brain (specifically the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and extended amygdala). These changes in the brain cause deficits in reward, motivation, stress, and self-control. These brain deficiencies drive the person’s behavior to seek the addictive substance compulsively and impulsively. Compulsive actions are repetitive actions that are excessive and inappropriate. Impulsive actions are rapid, unplanned actions without regard to negative consequences.
How can you blame addiction on a disease when it hurts so many people?
The disease of addiction does not excuse the behavior of someone with an addiction. It does not take away their responsibility for their actions such as lying, manipulating, dishonesty, etc. The disease model of addiction actually adds more responsibility to the person with the addiction. They have the added responsibility to seek treatment that has been proven to suppress addiction.
How do we know the brain drives addiction?
A simple example of how addiction is driven by brain changes is seen in smokers. One study looked at smokers who accidentally damaged an area of the brain called the insula. After this brain damage, these smokers were able to stop smoking easily without experiencing cravings or relapse. This shows us how certain pathways of the brain drive addiction, and if “removed”, will no longer drive addiction and cravings.
What does the science say about treatment?
There has been a massive amount of research conducted on addiction. Researchers study the effects of different treatments on thousands of people to test what works. This helps them identify what treatments have the highest chances of success. There are essentially three types of treatments that have been shown to work: Professional structured treatment, peer support groups, and medications to reduce cravings. We encourage the use of all these recognized tools for recovery. Click here to help find treatment.
How can we say addiction is a disease of the brain when it is a choice?
The majority of the diseases in the western world are called “acquired diseases”. For example, the majority of heart disease is acquired through bad eating habits. Once the heart structure changes they cause symptoms. Even if the patient eventually decides to changes their eating habits, these heart damage and symptoms continue.
Similarly, addiction is an acquired disease. It also starts through bad choices. Once it leads to changes in the structure of the brain, it leads to symptoms such as uncontrollable and irrational urges to use despite consequences. These occur even if the patient sincerely decides to change.
Is addiction all about the brain?
There are many factors that come together to lock addiction in place. These include family, economic, spiritual, medical, psychiatric, and social factors. All of these need to be addressed comprehensively in order to gain traction in recovery. The brain is one component of a multi-faceted problem. Addressing the brain only does not lead to optimal success.