Struggling with substance use can feel isolating and overwhelming, but it’s important to know you’re not alone. Substance use isn’t simply a personal choice—it’s a deeply complex brain disorder that alters the way the brain functions, often beyond an individual’s control.
Repeated exposure to substances can fundamentally rewire neural pathways, disrupting a person’s ability to regulate emotions, make sound decisions, and control behavior (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2020).
The Brain and Substance Use
The brain functions as a highly intricate network of neurons that communicate through chemicals called neurotransmitters. Addictive substances and behaviors disrupt this communication, overstimulating the brain’s reward system and creating lasting changes.
The three key brain areas impacted by substance use are:
- Basal Ganglia: This area regulates pleasure and motivation. Addictive substances flood the basal ganglia with dopamine, producing intense feelings of euphoria. Over time, the brain adapts by reducing its sensitivity to natural rewards like food or relationships, increasing dependence on substances to experience pleasure (NIDA, 2020).
- Extended Amygdala: Responsible for managing stress and anxiety, the extended amygdala becomes overactive during withdrawal, leading to heightened discomfort. This state drives individuals to continue to use to temporarily relieve distress, perpetuating the cycle of substance use (NIDA, 2020).
- Prefrontal Cortex: Critical for decision-making, impulse control, and self-regulation, the prefrontal cortex weakens under the influence of substance use. This impairment makes it harder to resist cravings, resulting in compulsive behaviors and poor decision-making (NIDA, 2020).
The Science Behind Substance Use
Substance use isn’t about lacking willpower—it’s a complex brain condition where substances hijack the brain’s natural reward system. When someone uses drugs or engages in addictive behaviors, their brain releases large amounts of dopamine, creating powerful connections between the substance and feelings of pleasure. As this pattern continues, the brain becomes less responsive to everyday sources of satisfaction like food, social interactions, or hobbies. Consequently, the individual increasingly seeks out the substance, driven by neurological changes that prioritize addictive behavior over natural rewards (Yale Medicine, 2022).
Why Does Relapse Happen?
Relapse is common because substance use alters the brain’s memory and motivational systems. Environmental cues or emotions associated with substance use can trigger cravings, even years after quitting. This “learned reflex” underscores the chronic and addictive nature of substance use and the importance of sustained support.
Understanding Substance Use’s Complexity
Jack O’Connor is someone recovering from addiction whose story was featured in an NPR article by Jack Rodolico (Anatomy of Addiction: How Heroin and Opioids Hijack the Brain, 2016). As a teenager, Jack experimented with substances and quickly became dependent on the euphoria they provided.
Despite multiple attempts to detox—more than 20 over three years—and even joining the Marines to escape his substance use, Jack struggled with repeated relapse. According to Dr. Seddon Savage from Dartmouth College, opioids activate the same brain regions that govern basic survival instincts, hijacking memory, motivation, and self-control.
Today, Jack is sober, thanks to comprehensive treatment and strong support systems. Reflecting on his experience, Jack shared, “I loved the way I felt high, but now I love how I feel sober.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use, don’t wait to take that first step. Your path to recovery and a better future begins with asking for help.
The Science of Recovery: Neuroplasticity and Hope
The brain’s ability to adapt, called neuroplasticity, offers hope for recovery. While the changes caused by substance use are significant, they are not irreversible. Recovery involves both physical and psychological processes that help the brain rebuild healthy connections.
Neuroplasticity presents a powerful mechanism for healing. Through deliberate practice, individuals can disrupt damaging neural connections that drive substance use and rewire the brain using healthier thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Altamira Recovery, 2023).
Key Recovery Strategies:
- Therapeutic Interventions: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help individuals manage cravings and rebuild healthy thought patterns.
- Medications: Treatments like naltrexone and buprenorphine address withdrawal symptoms and restore balance to the brain’s chemistry.
- Healthy Habits: Exercise, mindfulness, and social connections naturally boost dopamine levels, reducing dependency on substances.
- Support Systems: Peer and community support provide stability, accountability, and encouragement throughout recovery.
Recovery is not a one-time event but a lifelong process. By addressing the underlying neurological changes caused by substance use, individuals can regain control over their lives.
How Treatment Helps Heal the Brain
While substance use can significantly alter the brain, recovery is possible through comprehensive treatment. At SummitStone, we use evidence-based approaches to address both the neurological and emotional aspects of substance use.
Key Services Include:
- Withdrawal Management (Detox): A safe, supportive environment with medical care and therapy to ease the transition into recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Combines medications and therapy to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Peer Support Services: Connects clients with trained specialists who share lived experiences, fostering hope and accountability.
- Group Therapy: Offers structured support for adults, adolescents, and families, led by trained psychologists.
- Telehealth Services: Secure, virtual therapy sessions allow individuals to receive care remotely.
By combining these therapies with holistic approaches like yoga and vocational support, we help individuals rebuild their lives and restore brain function.
How Treatment Helps Heal the Brain
While substance use can significantly alter the brain, recovery is possible through comprehensive treatment. At SummitStone, we use evidence-based approaches to address both the neurological and emotional aspects of substance use.
Key Services Include:
- Withdrawal Management (Detox): A safe, supportive environment with medical care and therapy to ease the transition into recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Combines medications and therapy to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Peer Support Services: Connects clients with trained specialists who share lived experiences, fostering hope and accountability.
- Group Therapy: Offers structured support for adults, adolescents, and families, led by trained psychologists.
- Telehealth Services: Secure, virtual therapy sessions allow individuals to receive care remotely.
By combining these therapies with holistic approaches like yoga and vocational support, we help individuals rebuild their lives and restore brain function.
Substance use profoundly impacts the brain, altering its ability to regulate emotions, make decisions, and experience pleasure. These changes underscore the importance of understanding substance use as a medical condition, not a moral failing. Through targeted treatment, such as the services offered by SummitStone, individuals can heal their brains, regain control of their lives, and move toward lasting recovery. Substance use recovery starts with reaching out. If you or someone you care about is battling substance abuse or recovering from addiction, seeking help is the first crucial step toward healing.
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Drugs, brain, and behavior: The science of substance use. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/substance use-science/drugs-brain-behavior-science-of-substance use
Rodolico, J. (2016, January 11). Anatomy of substance use: How heroin and opioids hijack the brain. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/11/462390288/anatomy-of-substance use-how-heroin-and-opioids-hijack-the-brain
Yale Medicine. (2022, May 25). How an addicted brain works. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/how-an-addicted-brain-works
Altamira Recovery. (2023). Neuroplasticity in recovering the brain. https://www.altamirarecovery.com/neuroplasticity-recovering-brain/