Written by Elif Gulce Batgi
Addiction is defined as not having control over something and coming to a point that harms the individual. İndividuals who are addicted to a substance or any action are not able to control and block their desire to continue despite knowing the negative consequences which may occur. For a long time, experts thought that only alcohol and drugs cause addiction, but with the help of neuroimaging technologies, it is clearly observed that there are other kinds of addiction such as shopping, working, gambling, etc (1). It prompts individuals to crave the object that they are addicted to, lose control over the object, and continue despite knowing adverse consequences.
The occurrence of addictions is connected to different variables. Genetics is one of the factors. If you have someone in your family who has an addiction, you are at higher risk (2) of having such behavior. Nevertheless, it doesn't necessarily have it.
Some environmental factors also contribute to the development of addiction such as violence, poverty, access to substances, extreme stress, trauma, and taking drugs during adolescence (2).
Addictive substances cause changes in the brain’s “reward system” (2). The individual may crave more drugs to feel pleasure. Moreover, the substance can become the focus of the individual and make her/him push relationships, job responsibilities, and any other obligations into the background.
Having a psychological disorder and being in a community that is struggling with violence and discrimination have the risk of alcohol and drug addiction.
Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. In some drugs, such as heroin and marijuana, the chemical structure can act like a natural neurotransmitter and activate the neurons (3). These drugs mimic the brain's natural neurotransmitters; they don’t activate in the same way, which causes sending of abnormal messages through the network (3). Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause the neurons to release extreme amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal cycling of brain chemicals.
The basal ganglia play an important role in positive forms of motivation, pleasurable effects, and effects of healthy activities. Drugs over-activate the basal ganglia, producing euphoria of the drug high (3). The extended amygdala serves a function in stressful feelings such as anxiety, irritability, and unease. It causes withdrawal effects after the drug high fades and then motivates the individual to utilize drugs again. Another part of the brain that is affected by drugs is the prefrontal cortex which involves the functions of thinking, planning, solving problems, making decisions, and self-control. The shifting balance between the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, and extended cortex circuits makes an individual with a substance use disorder seek the drug compulsively with reduced impulse control (3).
Addiction can be seen in any period of our lives. Some genetic, environmental, and mental health situations can lead an individual to be addicted to something. Substance addiction is one of the most popular addictions and it harms some circuits of the brain such as the basal ganglia, extended amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. As a result of this damage, withdrawal effect, euphoria, confusion about neurotransmitters (sending abnormal messages through the network), and prevention of the normal cycling of brain chemicals may occur.
References:
Understanding addiction. (2022, November 2). HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain.htm.
Addictions: Prevalence, symptoms, treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addictions-an-overview.
Drugs and the brain. (2022, March 22). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain.
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