Addiction can feel impossible to overcome, but it isn’t due to weakness or failure—it’s a disease that fundamentally alters the brain.
Understanding how addiction rewires brain function can offer insight into why recovery is challenging and why professional treatment is essential.
If substance use has impacted your brain health or overall well-being, The Raleigh House can help you begin the path to recovery. Contact our admissions team or continue reading to learn more about how addiction affects the brain and how treatment can support healing.
Why Addiction Happens: The Role of Genetics and the Brain
Addiction is not a moral failing; it is a complex disease influenced by genetics and brain chemistry.
Research shows that genetic makeup can significantly increase the likelihood of developing substance use disorders. For example, a 2019 study identified the gene CHRNA2 as a risk factor for cannabis use disorder when expressed at low levels in the cerebellum.
Additionally, scientists have identified over 566 genetic variants across 400 locations in the human genome that may contribute to addiction risk. These genetic predispositions, combined with environmental factors, can make specific individuals more vulnerable to substance abuse.
Parts of the Brain Affected by Addiction
Substance use changes how the brain functions, especially in areas that control reward, decision-making, and behavior. These changes make it difficult to stop using substances, even when facing serious consequences.
The Reward System (Basal Ganglia and Nucleus Accumbens):
Substance use floods the brain with dopamine, overstimulating the basal ganglia and the nucleus accumbens. This rush of pleasure conditions the brain to crave continued use, reinforcing the cycle of addiction.
The Habit Circuit (Dorsal Striatum):
Repeated substance use rewires the dorsal striatum—a part of the brain responsible for habits—making drug or alcohol use an ingrained behavior. This change makes quitting especially difficult.
The Decision-Making Center (Prefrontal Cortex):
Substance abuse impairs the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and recognizing risky behaviors. This damage reduces the ability to make healthy choices and contributes to continued substance use.
The Brain and Alcohol Dependence:
Excessive alcohol consumption directly harms brain cells by slowing their responses and impairing metabolism. Alcohol abuse can cause:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Poor nutrient absorption affects nerve cell health.
- Toxic Build-Up: Impaired liver function exposes the brain to harmful toxins.
- Psychological Changes: Chronic use can lead to anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal symptoms, fueling further drinking.
Healing the Brain After Addiction
Addiction-related brain changes can be reversed with time, abstinence, and comprehensive treatment. At The Raleigh House, our evidence-based therapies and holistic treatments are designed to heal the brain and body.
Our healing approach Includes:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Eases withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings.
- Individual and Group Therapy: Provides emotional support and personalized strategies for recovery.
- Nutritional Support: Rebuilds physical health to aid brain recovery.
- Experiential Therapies: Activities like equine therapy and rock climbing promote emotional healing and self-discovery.
- Genetic Testing: Helps personalize treatment by identifying how an individual’s genetics influence their response to medications and therapies.
Find Hope and Healing at The Raleigh House
Understanding how addiction impacts the brain is the first step toward recovery. At The Raleigh House, we offer compassionate, evidence-based care to help you or your loved one heal and reclaim a fulfilling life.
Two Locations, One Mission for Your Recovery:
- The Ranch at The Raleigh House: Nestled in the peaceful Colorado countryside, The Ranch offers a serene space for those looking to recover from trauma, mental health conditions, and addiction. With nature-inspired therapies and a nurturing community, the ranch is an ideal place to find peace and heal.
- The Center for Integrative Behavioral Health: Located in the Denver Tech Center, our newest facility offers the same clinical excellence and unique healing experiences for trauma, mental health and addiction. It’s an excellent setting as well for those individuals needing physical accessibility support in a beautiful and nurturing environment.
Your recovery journey starts here. Contact us today at 720.891.4657 or reach out to our admissions team online to learn how The Raleigh House can help you or your loved one heal and build a healthier, more fulfilling future.