The Mayo Clinic refers to the brain as the most complex organ in the human body. Repeated and prolonged substance use can reshape the brain’s structure and how it functions.
Habitual abuse of drugs can cause the amygdala, area of the brain that perceives feelings of stress, anxiety, and irritability, to become increasingly sensitive. When an individual begins to experience withdrawal as a substance leaves his or her body, in attempt to mitigate the discomforts of the withdrawal symptoms he or she will experience drug cravings and be motivated to satisfy his or her cravings. The basal ganglia, sometimes referred to as the brain’s reward circuit, is an area in one’s brain that plays a role in cultivating motivation, the formation of routines and habits as well as appreciating the pleasurable effects of life. Drugs and/ or alcohol can cause this area to become over-active which is often experienced as a feeling of euphoria. With repeated exposures, neural pathways will form around the presence of the abused substance, which can reduce one’s sensitivity and make it more difficult to glean pleasure from anything other than the substance.
The human brain is a highly adaptable organ, and when drugs and alcohol change the brain’s chemistry, the brain adapts. This changing of the neural circuits is possible because of the brain’s neuroplasticity. Frontiers In Psychology defines neuroplasticity as “a general umbrella term that refers to the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience.” Hence, the brain is a continuously evolving organ. Neural pathways are developed through synaptic connections that occur in one’s brain, directly resulting from a person’s habits and behaviors. These connections create a map of a myriad of circuits within one’s brain, influenced by outside stimuli, enabling the brain to process various experiences, and are essential in how the brain retains and accesses information. Neural pathways strengthen with repetition and can similarly become obsolete without repetition. Certain parts of the brain can recover in a short time, others may take longer to recover. Everyone is different, and as such there is no universal timeframe that indicates how long it will take for the normalization of brain structure and chemistry to occur.
For Information and Support
Contemplating detox can be a very challenging time. Before any individual can begin to work on the underlying issues contributing to their substance abuse problem, they must be separated from the substances in their systems. If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one regarding substance abuse, and/ or addiction we recommend reaching out for help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Sherwood Detox offers a stand-alone detox program. For additional information on detox, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 818-626-9959 or feel free to email us anytime. One of our trusted counselors is available to talk and discuss how we can best support you on your journey.
