Learn what happens inside the brain when someone becomes addicted to a substance like alcohol or drugs or an activity such as gambling, and how treatment can help.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Say the word “addiction” and drugs such as alcohol, heroin, and cocaine often come to mind.
But other substances like nicotine, marijuana and prescription pain medications can also be addictive.
So can certain activities such as gambling.
Whatever the case, addiction involves craving and a loss of control, with the substance use or activity continuing even if it causes harm.
This can include problems with relationships, jobs, school, money, or your health.
Addiction is not due to weakness or a lack of willpower.
Instead, it’s a chronic disease involving changes in the brain.
There, billions of nerve cells, or neurons, communicate through a series of signals and chemical messengers.
When messages leave one neuron, they attach to a receptor on the receiving one, like a key fitting into a lock.
In addiction, this communication process is disrupted.
Large amounts of a brain chemical called dopamine are released, overwhelming receptors and resulting in the “high” that people experience.
To keep that feeling going, they take the drug or engage in the behavior again…and again.
Eventually, the brain changes and adapts, driving them to seek out more just to get the same feeling. That’s called tolerance.
Stopping a substance can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, depression or severe anxiety.
Taking too much of a substance, or a combination of substances, can result in an overdose and serious illness – or even death.
Young people are especially vulnerable to addiction. The impulse-control center of their brains, known as the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully developed making them more prone to risky behavior. And using substances can cause lasting harm to their developing brains
If you think your child might be experimenting with substances, talk to them about it. Parents can help by teaching their kids healthier ways to deal with life’s stresses.
Like any other disease such as diabetes or asthma, addiction can be successfully treated.
So if you or someone you know has a problem with addiction, talk to your doctor, a mental health professional, or an addiction specialist.
Getting help may save a life.