The Science of Addiction: What Happens to Your Brain During Substance Abuse

The science behind addiction is complicated and often misunderstood. Impacting more than 20 million people in the US alone, addiction can cause physical, neurological, and biochemical symptoms that alter your body and brain’s chemistry, negatively affecting your life. To understand addiction, it is important to understand the stages of addiction and how your brain responds to substance use. As leading drug addiction treatment in Brandon, Tampa, and Ocala, Phoenix House Florida knows the importance of understanding addiction to truly help yourself or loved ones who are struggling. 

The Brain’s Reward System

The brain is a complex network that works together to reinforce behavior that is essential for life. At the heart of this network is the neurotransmitter dopamine, which rewards the body with a feeling of pleasure when we do something that is enjoyable or satisfying. These rewarded feelings reinforce the idea that what you just did is acceptable, fun, and should be done again. According to the National Library of Medicine, all addictive substances release dopamines that feed into these cycles.  

Furthermore, there are certain types of naturally occurring opioid molecules found in the brain’s opioid system that play a key role in rewarding the effects of non-naturally occurring addictive substances. This can make it harder for the body to not feel positive effects from substances, leading to the continued rewarding feelings of use despite the substances being bad for your body. 

Neuroplasticity and Tolerance

Neuroplasticity is the process that involves the brain adapting and changing in response to internal or external factors. When someone goes through the stages of addiction, they initially use the drug, progress to misuse of the drug, and eventually grow a tolerance to the drug. With repeated use, the brain starts to slow down the production of naturally occurring dopamine, altering the brain’s reward system, and requiring more of the substance to achieve the desired pleasurable effects. 

Tolerance is an indication that the brain has changed its response to a drug and is the step right before dependence, where your brain is no longer able to naturally produce the same levels of dopamine because it relies on the substance to produce those levels. 

Impact on Neurotransmitters and Chemical Imbalances

Substance use does not only impact dopamine production, but it can also impact serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Using substances such as alcohol and MDMA can offer a temporary boost in mood; however, prolonged use causes serotonin levels to drop, leading to irritability, mood swings, and even depression. 

GABA and Glutamate help to regulate anxiety and stress by calming neural activity. Depressant substances enhance GABA activity, which is why these substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines can sometimes have sedative effects. Glutamate is involved in learning and memory, and certain drugs can impact the relationship between these two neurotransmitters, leading to impaired cognitive function and memory loss or lack of ability to create memories. 

Understanding the science behind addiction underscores how substance use impacts and changes the brain’s function and cognitive ability. It also lends itself to a better understanding of how people’s substance use can grow to be so addictive. These deeper insights can help to better support those going through treatment.

For more information about supporting yourself or your loved ones with drug addiction treatment in Brandon, Tampa, and Ocala give us a call at (813) 881-1000 or request an appointment today.