Imagine someone tried alcohol for the first time at a party. It made them feel excellent, as it released large amounts of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. The next week, when they were stressed at work, they remembered how good the alcohol felt and decided to stop at the store on their way home from work. It helped relieve their work stress, so they started using it more frequently.
Over time, their brain develops a tolerance for alcohol and starts needing larger and larger amounts of alcohol and dopamine. Other things bring less pleasure as their brain requires a higher level of dopamine (that the activities cannot produce) to feel the same amount of pleasure. As a result, they drink more and engage in fewer activities. Eventually, they become dependent on alcohol to feel any pleasure at all. This is classified as addiction.
This cycle can feel confusing and isolating. Many people don’t realize that addiction is not just a lack of willpower or a moral problem – it’s classified as a chronic illness rooted in brain chemistry.
Why Does Addiction Happen?
There is no single cause of addiction; rather, it results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you have a family history of addiction to a certain substance, you may be at a higher risk for developing a similar addiction. The type of substance does matter, as some genetic vulnerabilities are substance-specific. One helpful step in prevention is creating an addiction family tree. Map out your generation and go back two generations before. Mark any possible addictions so that you are aware of what substances have a higher risk for you. You can also talk about this family tree with your general provider.
Additionally, the environment plays a large role in addiction. If you grew up in a neighbourhood where there is a liquor store on every street corner, the increased exposure and accessibility can make substance use more likely. Also, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs for short), such as abuse and neglect, can heighten vulnerability to addiction, as people often turn to substances to cope with unresolved trauma. Have you noticed adverse conditions in your own family or community? Awareness is a powerful first step.
Addiction and Therapy
Mental health issues also greatly increase the risk of addiction. People with conditions such as depression or anxiety can turn to substances in an attempt to soothe emotional pain when healthier tools aren’t available. Therapy can play a huge role in reducing your risk, as it allows you to treat your mental illness without turning to substance misuse.
Therapy reduces stress, supports healthier routines, and helps you change the way you think about yourself and your relationship with substances. Addiction recovery centers can also help your body to detox from the substance and help you manage your stress levels. What matters most is continuing to apply those changes after leaving the recovery center – when real-life challenges return.
Here at Nugent Family Counseling Center, we specialize in using multiple treatments to help break the cycle of addiction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps uncover the underlying issues contributing to addiction and helps you reshape your thoughts and habit patterns. Neurofeedback therapy trains your brain to regulate its own activity, supporting healing from the neurological effects of addiction [learn more here]. No matter which path you take, what matters most is your willingness to begin and your courage to keep going, even when it’s hard. Recovery is a journey, and while it may be challenging, hope and healing are always possible.
