Home AddictionThe Biology of Addiction

The Biology of Addiction

9 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team

Fact checked

CONTENTS

Not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol goes on to develop an addiction. Yet, many whose lives get crippled by their constant obsession with a particular substance or behavior. But how do these obsessions begin? What is addiction’s biology, and how can one identify and address this issue?

This article will shed light on the mechanism of addiction, why people develop it, its symptoms, and recovery.

Illustration of all kinds of addictions and their reasons

Every single drug or alcohol user has a unique experience. At the same time, certain commonalities also exist that can be attributed to their willingness to engage in an addiction:

They wish to feel better.

A lot of people choose the life of addiction to feel better. For example, some engage in substance abuse to get over the stress at work, while others do it to overcome the problems they face in a relationship. Few people also begin their addiction with a prescription medication they have already been using for pain management or any other issue and eventually become dependent on it.

They want to do better.

Many drugs, such as amphetamines, can make individuals falsely feel like superhumans. These medications alter the brain chemicals in a way that skews the reality of their abilities. Hence, many continue to take these drugs to live in that high state.

They are curious.

Many who start using drugs experimentally under peer pressure or out of curiosity end up developing an addiction. Teens are particularly vulnerable to this risk as they constantly search for independence from societal or parental rules.

They wish to feel good.

Many rely on drugs and alcohol simply to seek pleasure and forget about the responsibilities of life.

It is human nature to pursue things that make someone feel good. From good food to comfortable environments and pleasurable activities, there are a lot of things one does just to feel happy. A happy person’s brain constantly releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that relays information between different neurons in the brain. This dopamine is what induces happiness in a person.

The brain stops functioning healthily when someone starts consuming drugs or abusing alcohol. Instead, it secretes more dopamine than required under the influence of these harmful substances. As a result, the user tends to experience a prolonged sense of euphoria that is unattainable without using drugs.

Because humans are hedonistic, i.e., pleasure-seeking, the brain starts asking for more dopamine to feel and enjoy the euphoria constantly. This feeling forces users to keep consuming drugs and alcohol over long durations. With time, the brain becomes dependent on the offending substance, requiring it in progressively higher amounts to experience the same effects. By this stage, the addiction cycle is in full swing, and nothing else matters for the afflicted person but the substance use.

There is no such addiction that begins overnight. Some get hooked after a single use of drugs, but for most, the process is gradual. Addiction has various stages that happen before a person loses control over their ability to cut back or quit. These stages of addiction are outlined below:

Experimentation

This is when an individual chooses to use an addictive substance or engage in a pleasurable activity like shopping. Many at this stage convince themselves that they are only trying the substance to see what the fuss is about. However, this experimentation, especially with an illicit substance, often serves as a gateway to other use, subsequently triggering abuse and addiction.

Social Use

Using mood-altering substances for social reasons may not immediately harm the mind and the body but eventually, lead to tolerance and dependence. With an increased tolerance, a user is no longer able to experience the same effects before. Hence, most try to increase the dose of drugs to chase those longed-for feelings, fueling addiction.

Risky Use

Risky use begins when an individual starts experiencing adverse effects from using a specific substance. At this stage, they may be binging on drugs or alcohol every weekend but have not developed a dependence yet. Nevertheless, their drug use is causing harm to their health and social functioning.

Physical Dependence and Addiction

After long-term use of mood-altering substances, a full-blown addiction sets in. The longer they abuse these substances, the more likely they will become dependent on them. When someone cannot stop taking drugs or even reduce their dose, they are officially termed an addict. Addiction can either be physical or psychological and results in different symptoms when someone requires the substance to be abused. These side effects include headache, vomiting, mood swings, nausea, agitation, irritability, and shaking.

Many people affected by addiction are usually reluctant to admit the truth. A family member or a friend is more likely to notice these disruptive patterns in their loved ones and spot the signs and symptoms of addiction.

If you suspect yourself to be addicted to drugs and alcohol, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you regularly take an illegal or prescription substance?
Do you consume a medication that was originally prescribed to another person?
Are you taking more prescription medication than advised by your doctor?
Are you taking medication to alter the way you feel?
Do you feel irritable or anxious when you do not get your medications or alcohol?
Do you do things under the influence of drugs or alcohol that you would normally not do?
Do you lie to others about your substance use?
Do you take unnecessary risks when you are high?
Have you started neglecting your responsibilities since your substance use?
Do you need to consume progressively high amounts of a substance to feel the same effects?
Have you recently lost interest in all hobbies that you previously enjoyed?

If your answer to most questions is yes, get help as soon as possible. You are likely dependent on a mood-altering substance, and without professional help, your life may quickly spiral out of control. Even if you believe to be fine because you are still working and getting on with life, you may still require help.

People with addictions who continue to abuse drugs or alcohol without getting help usually lose control of their lives. It can be difficult to beat addiction alone, but a failure to seek help can also deteriorate life. Admitting the truth and realizing the problem can be challenging, but as soon as someone gets in a position to do so, they will eventually be on a path to recovery. The road to recovery is indeed long and challenging but extremely rewarding.

Real recovery must cover all aspects of addiction. While much focus is given to drug dependence and its side effects on the body, addictive behaviors also have impacts on the spirit and mind. Hence, finding an addiction rehab that addresses all three aspects can lead to long-lasting recovery and sobriety after treatment.

Physical Healing

Research reveals that the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that controls decision-making and communication, primarily controls addiction. There is also an involvement of the limbic system where the brain’s reward circuit lies. as these systems are short-circuited, it overloads the body and the brain so that no normal activity can duplicate. This is what makes most substances so addictive. Getting over such an addiction must include separating the body from the substance through a detoxification process, commonly offered at all addiction centers.

Mental Healing

Many addicts may not immediately recognize their obsession with a substance or an activity. They might be unaware of crossing the lines, ignore the humiliating consequences of their behavior, and constantly rationalize their obsessions. To release these bonds of obsession, taking a proactive approach is necessary. A rehab may provide this approach through different behavioral therapies like CBT that helps addicts recognize their negative behaviors and build a healthy coping mechanism to overcome them.

Spiritual Healing

Giving up your choices and falling into addiction can numb a person spiritually. For them, drugs become the center of the experience as they shut their ears and eyes to everything else. In such cases, reawakening and healing the spirit must be a vital component of the sobriety programs. Many rehabs, therefore, offer spiritual healing programs and faith-based treatments catering to the needs of different clients for a wholesome recovery.

If you or someone you love have been fighting addiction and wish to quit, help is available. Contact a rehab center now to begin your journey towards a healthier life today.

FAQs

What makes something addictive?

What makes something addictive is its effects on the brain. Dopamine is a chemical responsible for carrying messages across the brain’s reward center. This chemical is what gives people the feeling of happiness and reinforces behaviors needed for survival, such as eating food. The brain activates the same reward circuitry when someone uses a substance or engages in a pleasurable activity. The problem arises when these substances and behaviors do the job better than the natural rewards. For example, marijuana can trick the brain cells into activating neurons that use dopamine to induce euphoria. Cocaine, on the other hand, prolongs the euphoric effects of dopamine in the brain. These effects on the reward circuitry and dopamine are what make something addictive. How quickly something gets into the brain and how forcefully it activates these circuits determines its true addiction potential.

Is addiction a bad thing?

Addiction to drugs, alcohol or certain behaviors can lead to devastating consequences. These consequences may take the shape of the following:

A decline in performance at school or work
Frequent mood swings
Altered sleep habits
Changes in physical appearance
Slow deterioration in physical health
Legal issues
Financial problems
Strained relationships

When addictions escalate and the individual loses their physical and mental health, their quality of life begins to plummet.

Why do people get addicted to alcohol?

When someone continues the pattern of heavy drinking to reach a normal level, they may eventually begin to not feel normal without having a drink. Soon enough, physical dependence occurs, including uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that appear when someone stops drinking. The physical and psychological dependence on alcohol stems from the effects alcohol has on the brain. Alcohol works by releasing endorphins in two particular areas of the brain associated with reward processing. With an increase in alcohol consumption, the levels of endorphins also increase, leading to a higher reward activation and the consequent euphoria. This intense feeling of euphoria is what forces people to get addicted to alcohol.

HOW THE BALANCE CAN HELP WITH Addiction

The Balance RehabClinic is a leading provider of luxury addiction and mental health treatment for affluent individuals and their families, offering a blend of innovative science and holistic methods with unparalleled individualised care.