Drug addiction is a major problem in the world. Synthetic painkillers and illicit substances like fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin all carry a high risk of addiction. Scientists have been studying the link between addiction and the brain to understand more about addictive behaviors.
At least one in ten Americans battles substance addiction, and often it all begins with prescription medication. When a person uses prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, it can quickly turn into an addiction.
What Is the Link Between Addiction and the Brain?
Any type of addiction changes the structure and function of the brain. The brain has something called “pleasure centers.” Any pleasure a person experiences, such as a delicious meal, shopping, or winning money, can release the pleasure hormone, dopamine.
Addictive drugs, such as heroin or painkillers, create a shortcut to this pleasure center. They cause a flood of dopamine which brings on a high in the individual. The faster a drug causes the release of dopamine, the more addictive it is. The way a person takes the drug also influences the speed of dopamine release. For instance, injecting a drug can release dopamine faster than swallowing a pill.
Dopamine then takes over the brain’s pleasure-related learning. Repeated consumption or intake makes the brain cells combine “liking” and “wanting” the addictive substance.
Addiction Treatment at a Reputed Rehab Facility
Earlier, researchers believed people who lacked willpower or moral strength were the ones who developed addictions. However, the relationship between addiction and the brain is much more complicated. In recent times, however, scientists see addiction as a disease just like heart disease or cancer.
Additionally, merely having a desire to quit is not enough to get rid of drug addiction. Just like any other disease, addiction requires structured, professional treatment.
At reputable rehab facilities, the focus is on a complete medical evaluation to find out the root cause of an addiction. The experts then design evidence-based treatment programs that are personalized for each individual patient.
Some of the addiction treatment services patients can benefit from include:
Why Choose Crestview Recovery to Get Rid of Addiction
At Crestview Recovery, we extend the utmost care and compassion while offering the best treatment options. With a great staff-to-patient ratio, we ensure individual attention throughout the addiction treatment process.
Whether you need complete supervision at our in-house facility or are looking for a flexible outpatient treatment program, we have it all. With detox referral and aftercare programs, we ensure you have all the tools and skills you need to prevent relapse and stay healthy.
We work to make addiction a thing of the past. When you’re ready to learn more about addiction and the brain, call our office at 866-580-4160 to start living a healthy, drug-free life.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
