Understanding addiction as a severe and complex illness that fundamentally alters brain structure and function is a crucial part of recovery. Here’s a closer look at how sustained drug and alcohol use changes the brain and how to begin healing.
The Neurological Impact of Addiction
Drugs and alcohol affect the brain’s reward center by mimicking the behavior of chemical messengers such as dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Normally, activities like eating or listening to music trigger these feelings. However, addictive substances flood your brain with feel-good chemicals, creating a far more intense high than you can achieve naturally.
Addiction also impairs a brain region called the prefrontal cortex. The resulting poor decision-making and increased impulsivity make abstaining from drugs or alcohol incredibly challenging as the illness progresses.
How Do Different Substances Change Your Brain?
Everyone’s brain responds differently to substance use due to genetic, environmental and psychological factors. This variance affects how quickly and severely addiction can take hold.
- Alcohol can impair your ability to make good choices and form new memories almost immediately after it enters your bloodstream. Over time, chronic alcohol use can permanently damage brain tissue and cells.
- Opioids bind to receptors that affect mood and emotion. Opioid addiction disrupts the normal functioning of these receptors, necessitating increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects.
- Marijuana affects the brain by binding to receptors that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination and sensory perception. Regular use, especially from an early age, can alter connectivity and reduce the volume of specific brain regions involved in these functions. Frequent marijuana use can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, underscoring the complex effects it can have on mental health.
- Cocaine accelerates brain aging, leading to significant volume loss. Even younger people can experience a marked cognitive decline after abusing cocaine.
Brain Plasticity in Recovery
Despite the severe damage caused by prolonged substance abuse, the human brain is remarkably plastic. That means it can adapt and change, forming new neural connections and pathways throughout your life. A structured rehab program gives you the time and tools you need to restore your cognitive function and retrain your brain away from addictive behavior. During a stay in residential rehab, you will work with professional therapists to develop new, healthier habits and coping mechanisms, effectively reshaping your responses to life’s challenges.
At Hope by the Sea, we understand that healing a disease as complex as addiction requires a holistic approach. We have developed our comprehensive treatment tracks to help people from all backgrounds and beliefs move beyond addiction. Contact us today to learn how we can guide you toward a fulfilling, happy substance-free life.
