Brain and addiction

Foreword

We are not an addiction treatment organization.

Some websites that offer help with addiction:

On our links page you may find more websites with information and help for people with an addiction. 

Brain Injury and Substance Use

Some people with brain injuries have an addiction, for example to alcohol, drugs, or something else. This addiction may have existed before the injury, it may have caused the injury, or it may have developed as a result of the injury.
This may present a complex dual challenge for the individual, the environment and professionals, as the addiction and the injury may influence each other in various ways.
Thinking functions (cognitive functions) may deteriorate. Behavioral control may (further) decline, which may lead to increased impulsivity or risky behavior.
Mood disorders or anxiety may also develop or worsen. Physical consequences may occur, such as effects on muscles, motor skills, organs, and brain functions.
There are therefore specific risk factors for substance use with brain injury.

 

Explaining addiction

With an addiction, the brain's reward system becomes imbalanced.
It's not simply a behavioral problem. This reward system is activated by pleasurable activities, such as eating, social interactions, or exercising. The reward circuit, also called the dopaminergic system, includes brain areas that work together to process rewards and influence behavior.

 

It often starts innocently enough. People use substances to feel good or to soothe emotions like trauma and anxiety. But through gradual changes in brain connections, this can lead to addiction.

 

In addiction, a substance (such as alcohol, drugs, or nicotine) or a habit (such as gaming, gambling, or social media) causes
excessive stimulation of the reward system. Key brain areas in this circuit are the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the nucleus accumbens, and the prefrontal cortex, which will be discussed in the next chapter.


The brain produces increasing amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which produces a transient feeling of happiness or relaxation. This effect is temporary, requiring increasingly more of the substance or activity to experience the same feeling. An excess of dopamine can cause restlessness, impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety. Overactive dopamine pathways can even lead to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.

 

Behavioral control diminishes
Behavioral control further diminishes because the prefrontal cortex, normally an inhibitor of the amygdala, functions less effectively. We will explain this in more detail in the next section. It becomes harder to quit, leading someone to focus entirely on the addiction, despite harmful consequences. This not only affects physical and mental health through guilt and shame, but may also cause problems in relationships, work, and finances.

 

Please note! Once an addiction pattern is activated, you often see that one addiction can easily be replaced by another.

 

No judgment, but help!No one consciously chooses to develop an addiction. The ability to make choices is disrupted in the brain. Real changes occur in the brain. Recovery is possible, but it requires time, insight, education, therapy, compassion and the right support.

 

Brain Areas and Neurotransmitters Involved in Addiction

Brain Areas

  • The amygdala and the prefrontal cortex are two essential parts of the human brain that work closely together through a network of neural pathways. This network enables communication and coordination between the two.

 

The amygdala plays a key role in emotions such as fear and reward, while the prefrontal cortex is responsible for rational thinking, decision-making, and impulse control.

 

Under normal circumstances, these areas work together to balance emotional responses and make well-considered decisions.

 

With addiction, this synergy in the brain becomes imbalanced. The amygdala becomes overactive, leading to strong desires (cravings) and intense emotions. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex functions less effectively, making it harder to control impulses or make wise choices. This is why addiction often leads to reduced control and increased sensitivity to 'triggers'.

 

  • The ventral tegmental area (VTA), located at the base of the midbrain (mesencephalon), is responsible for the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives us feelings of pleasure and motivation. Several cells in this area use dopamine to communicate with each other. Overactive dopamine pathways can predispose someone to addiction.

 

  • The Nucleus accumbens, part of the basal ganglia and thus part of the limbic system, is a key part of the brain's reward system. It ensures that individuals feel happy and rewarded.
    It helps regulate emotional responses, store emotional memories, and experience pleasure and motivation.
    It also helps with pain management by releasing dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in pain and pleasure.

 

Neurotransmitters

  • Serotonin contributes to relaxation and well-being. Too much can cause headaches, sweating, and confusion, and lead to more serious problems such as muscle twitches, high fever, and even life-threatening complications.
  • Dopamine creates a pleasant feeling when released as a reward, but
    too much dopamine in the body can lead to negative effects such as addiction or mood disorders. This can manifest as symptoms such as restlessness, impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and even feelings of anxiety.
    If this system is overstimulated, it becomes unbalanced, and a person can become addicted.

 

Learn more about the risks to the brain by: