Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can
be controlled to some extent and also a brain disease. And since
some testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI)
found that all addictions tend to cause nearly the same
reactions inside the brain, there could be one type of control
model for addiction health-related issues.
Others express the opinion that some of us have an addictive
personality and therefore are more likely to have problems than
others.
In other words, just as there is one disorder or disease labeled
asthma, there would be one for addiction, covering all
addictions; gambling, smoking, overeating, drugs, etc. Then one
main treatment strategy or plan could be used to treat all
addictions.
How addiction works in a nutshell is like this. The brain, the
center of the body's nervous system, handles addiction by
increasing dopamine levels in response to increased reactions
from behaviors, also referred to as compulsions, like gambling
or over eating, and / or in response to increased repeated
episodes of substance abuse, like from cocaine or alcohol.
And this addiction affects the three functioning processes of
the nervous system; sensing, perceiving and reacting. How? Let's
take a quick peak...
Dopamine, the chemical transmitter to the "pleasure center," the
place where survival instincts like eating and reproduction
focus in the brain, activates cells individually or energizes
them. Each energized cell in turn energizes another cell, and so
on down the line, resulting in a spontaneous process of ecstasy
or feelings of elation.
The problem is the brain doesn't realize what it is that is
causing the ecstasy reaction. So when this flutter of activity
increases the creation of dopamine for the negative behaviors
and substances like drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc., it neglects
the natural survival instinct reaction mechanisms, replacing
them with the ecstasy instead.
Depending upon the addiction, nervous system functions are
altered. So sensing, perceiving and reacting functions of
individuals are impeded. For example, alcohol is a depressant
and slows down all of these functions. So a drunk driver facing
an immediate collision will in all likelihood react slower than
a healthy, alert driver.
And whether or not the addictive substances are inhaled, going
into the lung system; or injected, traveling via the blood
system; or swallowed, entering the digestive system, also
affects different bodily reactions, responses and overall health.
One long-term effect is an increased tolerance level with
dopamine reaching out into other brain areas that cloud judgment
and behavioral considerations and choices. And ultimately
depression results, even amidst opposing or negative stimuli,
like the negative effects of narcotics on behaviors and on the
body / mind and like trying to withdrawal or discontinue use.
Other long-term effects can include changing of the brain's
shape and possible permanent brain damage, depending upon the
addiction and length of compulsive activity. And other health
problems like cancer from cigarette smoking can result.
Addiction summed up is: compulsive behavior despite negative
consequences.
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About the author:
The author has worked in the healthcare sector for the last 15+
years