Addiction is the brain out of balance

By Brian McAlister

Drug addiction literally changes the way we think. Studies have shown that active addicts have a brain imbalance; the addiction causes actual changes in their brains.  Those changes prompt them to react to triggers that feed the addictive behavior. Here’s how it plays out.

The Brain’s Pleasure Center Directs Drug Traffic

The limbic system contains what is known as the primitive or the reptilian brain. It is the oldest part of the brain. Up to 90% of all subconscious activity that occurs in human behaviors are run by the limbic system.  It keeps your heart beating, your skin cells dividing, and cools you down with sweat when you start overheating. It also controls the fear, pleasure and anger response. The limbic system doesn’t reason; it reacts without thought. Its main function is to ensure our survival.

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that makes us most human. It deals with higher functions such as morals, spirituality, art, and decision-making skills. The prefrontal cortex weighs possible outcomes. Unfortunately, it does not react as quickly as the limbic system.

The limbic system controls the pleasure center of the brain, which is necessary for our species’ continuous survival.  If sex and food were not enjoyable, we would not want to eat and procreate. The prefrontal cortex, through reasoning, encourages us to eat and procreate. Without these functions, we humans would not exist. When people drink and do drugs, it works on the pleasure center of the brain.

Why Addicts Crave Drugs and Alcohol

Cravings occur when the limbic system is screaming for pleasure and release. It sounds the alarm, and we react to the fear of running out of our drug of choice. The addict’s limbic system reacts with such distress that addicts can actually feel as though they will die if they don’t get their drug of choice. Because the limbic system runs faster than the slower reasoning prefrontal cortex, it overrides that system. That’s why addicts make logical and sincere promises that they do not keep. It’s also why at times we run on autopilot. We react rather than think things through. Addiction is the brain out of balance. Our reactive fear-based brain is dominating the rational brain. We choose short-term relief or perceived immediate pleasure, without weighing the destructive long-term consequences.

Interrupting the Cycle of Addiction

Freedom 365™ gives substance misusers the tools to get back in balance. It provides dozens of solutions to interrupt negative thought patterns.  Massive change is possible. Rest assured the brain, including the limbic system, can be retrained to recognize other more productive reward systems. Through choice, practice, and commitment, new habits can be developed. The alternative to not choosing to change is dangerous. Over time, the cravings keep increasing and the pleasure keeps decreasing.

All addictions work on the brain’s reward system by producing overloads of the chemical dopamine. When we use artificial stimuli such as drugs and alcohol to produce more dopamine, then our brains stop producing it naturally.  This is why we crash, or experience depression when we don’t get our drug of choice. The pleasure chemical in the brain dopamine, whose job it is to keep us on an even keel, is not present in sufficient quantities to make us feel well or balanced.  As we progress deeper into substance abuse, it becomes a vicious cycle of using more and enjoying it less, because the more we use chemicals to do the job, the less dopamine our brains produce.  After a while, there is no high or joy; we are using drugs so we won’t feel sick or depressed.

Triggers for Drug Addiction Relapse

Understanding how the brain functions lets you know the seriousness of avoiding triggers that could lead to relapse. A trigger is a cue picked up by your brain that initiates a response. Most of us recall learning about this Russian scientist, Pavlov, who was able, by repetition and stimulation, to trigger a predetermined result and alter the behavior of his dogs. Our brains react the same way to stimuli. Our brains subconsciously pick up cues and simply react to the situation. This is why it is so important to become aware of the triggers your brain has been conditioned to associate with using drugs or alcohol and be willing to make the changes, that over time, override your conditioned response.

Freedom from Drug Addiction

Freedom 365™ is designed to help you redirect your behavior and move you beyond abstinence. It can help you realign the perceptions that have been holding you back. It’s possible to rewrite the software in your mind so that you don’t react the same way to triggers. Full Recovery’s Freedom 365 Virtual Recovery System™ is the ONLY comprehensive technology solution to America’s #1 health problem – substance misuse. Freedom 365 adheres to the strict HIPAA and FERPA compliance standards, all while remaining accessible anytime, anywhere, 24/7, 365 days a year.

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Brian McAlister is the President and CEO of Virtual Recovery System™ Freedom 365 and Full Recovery Wellness Center. He is Best-selling author of Full Recovery, The Recovering Person’s Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Power. Sober date: August 2, 1990