Here in Salt Lake City, nestled along the western edge of the beautiful Wasatch Range, it can be hard to imagine that substance abuse disorder plagues our valley. With an average of eleven Utahns dying each week from drug overdose and over 900 deaths annually (in Utah) from excessive use of alcohol, the problem demands our attention.
Addiction touches many of us, never discriminating against whom it’s going to consume. Impacting families across the Country, addiction is a widespread challenge many face. Many of those suffering from addiction, and those who love them, struggle to understand why addiction even happens. Is it a choice, a weakness, or something deeper?
This article will help you understand what addiction is, the driving forces behind it, and how the brain plays a key role. To break the stigma around substance abuse, we will also debunk some common myths surrounding addiction that can keep people from seeking help. Most importantly, we will show you how recovery is possible with addiction rehab. To truly understand why addiction affects so many in Salt Lake City and beyond, one must first understand what addiction is: a multi-faceted condition rooted in more than poor choices.
Addiction: What Is It?
Addiction is commonly mischaracterized as a character flaw and a personal choice. Unfortunately, this is one of the many reasons why those who struggle often do so in silence: the fear of judgment. Sadly, some don’t see addiction for what it is, a complex disease that involves the brain. Those who struggle with addiction find themselves in a negative cycle, unable to stop, no matter the consequences.
Not everyone who uses substances is an addict. Misuse begins when substances like drugs or alcohol are used in ways that are unhealthy, unsafe, or outside their intended purposes. This can quickly develop into dependence when the body becomes desensitized to regular use, and an individual must increase their usage to achieve the same effects.
Addiction goes beyond physical dependence. This chronic brain disorder is identified by compulsive substance use despite negative and harmful consequences. Addiction impacts a person’s behavior, decision-making abilities, and overall well-being. The following are common indicators of someone with addiction.
- Loss of control with substance use
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Psychological + Physical dependence
More than just a bad habit, addiction affects behavior, body, and brain. Addiction is much more than misbehaving, but a condition deeply rooted in the inner workings of the brain.
What Role Does the Brain Play in Addiction?
The brain is the most complex part of human beings, with over 80 billion neurons creating detailed networks that control everything from movement to memory to emotion. Amazingly, compared to other organs and body systems, the brain is the least understood. With that being said, we know that addiction is, without a doubt, a disorder of the brain linked to both neurological and psychological factors.
Our brains have a strong reward system, and the chemical dopamine plays a leading role. Dopamine is known as a “feel-good” neurotransmitter that is released to reinforce behaviors, ideally for those that are life-sustaining. Drugs and alcohol can take this system over, triggering dopamine surges that are much larger than those received naturally. Over time, this usage causes the brain to produce less dopamine naturally. Substance use also decreases the body’s sensitivity to dopamine. This disruption in natural dopamine production and sensitivity is a motivating factor driving people to seek drugs and alcohol, increasing their cravings, instigating compulsive use, and eventually addiction.
Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to adapt, change, and rewire itself to allow for learning, form habits, and recover from injury. However, substance abuse can alter the brain’s structure in a way that works against a person, reshaping the brain to function around drugs and alcohol. Decision-making and judgement, for example, are controlled by the prefrontal cortex, which becomes less effective with substance use.
Addiction affects far more than dopamine levels and brain wiring. It also reshapes how different parts of the brain and the psyche interact, making it a condition that is both neurological and deeply emotional.
The Psychology Behind Addiction
More than physical dependence, addiction alters brain function, decision-making abilities, and emotional regulation. It is a condition that changes the very system we rely on for balance, control, and purpose. Let’s take a look at some of the most affected areas of the brain and what happens with an addiction.
Prefrontal Cortex: Impaired self-control and decision-making.
Amygdala: Elevated stress and anxiety responses.
Hippocampus: Memory associations that trigger cravings.
Due to the changes in these highly important areas of the brain, a person with addiction will have complex mental and emotional changes that are out of their control. The following psychological drivers are common in addictive behavior.
Reward-seeking behavior: Tied back to the dopamine-driven reward, substances provide a quick escape from stress and offer instant gratification to the user. Like fuel to a fire, so is instant gratification to the addict.
Emotional Regulation (Coping): With chronic substance use, a person’s ability to control their emotions is greatly impaired. Unable to deal with negative emotions healthily, addicts turn to substance use to deal with things like anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Cognitive Distortions: Addiction alters a person’s thought patterns by rewiring the brain. This can lead to rationalizing substance use, denial, minimizing the harm it’s causing, and making short-term relief more important than long-term well-being. An irrational way of thinking, cognitive distortion can make it harder for those who need help to recognize it.
Compulsive Habit Formation: Repetitive use of substances eventually creates a psychological habit that is triggered by things in daily life, like music, smells, places, or people. Environmental cues play a major role in the psychological formation of habits, where cravings are triggered by everyday life.
Self-Concept: Addiction changes the way a person perceives themselves. Creating feelings of shame, guilt, or low-self-esteem caused by addiction only reinforces the use of it. With a different view of personal identity, individuals struggling with addiction often change their priorities to cater to the substance. Their motivation shifts from life goals and healthy relationships to substance use.
Besides the psychological factors and changes in the brain that are caused by addiction, genetics, environment, and social factors also play a primary role in the risk of developing addiction. In addition to these risks, many people affected by addiction have pre-existing mental health conditions that are interwoven with addiction, creating a vicious cycle of dependency and misunderstanding within the community. Let’s take a moment to bust some of the myths surrounding addiction.
Myth-Busting Addiction
Myth 1: Addiction is an active choice and displays weakness.
Reality: Addiction is a disease deeply rooted in the brain that is in no way indicative of a lack of willpower. The brain changes with substance use and interferes with a person’s decision-making abilities.
Myth 2: Addicts can quit if they really want to.
Reality: Without professional support, withdrawal symptoms and neurological changes can make quitting extremely complicated and difficult.
Myth 3: Addiction only affects certain “types” of people.
Reality: Addiction does not discriminate; it touches every corner of our communities. From moms and dads, professionals and athletes, even children are not safe from developing addiction.
Myth 4: Recovery is over when a person leaves rehab.
Reality: Recovery is not a one-time thing; it is a life-long process that often requires ongoing support, maybe through outpatient treatment or support groups.
Myth 5: Rehab is only for those who have hit rock bottom.
Reality: Rehab is beneficial for anyone who is struggling with substance use or mental health issues, no matter the stage. Rehab provides the tools for healing before the damage becomes devastating.
Understanding these truths about addiction allows us to see it for what it is: a complex disorder of the brain. These realities not only help break down the stigma around addiction but also clear the path for understanding how rehab offers hope and healing.
How Rehab Helps Break the Cycle
Addiction rehab in Salt Lake City can provide the structure, support, and tools needed to interrupt the cycle of addiction and begin lasting recovery. Professional rehabilitation can address the physical, psychological, and social components of addiction while using evidence-based therapies that are proven to help. Besides therapy, rehab offers counseling, support groups, medical care, nutrition, and holistic activities. Through the detox process, therapy, and skill building, rehab helps interrupt the compulsive behavior and break the negative cycle of substance use.
In Salt Lake City, where the shadow of addiction looms despite the beauty that surrounds us, understanding the psychology of addiction helps shine a light on the path forward. From its deep roots in the brain, driven by dopamine surges and neuroplastic changes to the psychological forces of reward-seeking, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive distortions, addiction is much more than a personal failing: it’s a multi-faceted challenge that affects Utahns from all walks of life. By debunking the myths that paint addiction as a choice rather than a brain disorder, we can break the stigma that keeps so many from seeking help.
Addiction rehab is a beacon of hope for those struggling. Providing evidence-based tools like therapy, skill building, and holistic opportunities, rehab lays the foundation for a lasting recovery. For those in our community with addiction or those supporting a loved one who is, know that help is within reach. Rehab is a journey of hope and healing while offering a renewed sense of purpose for a future free from addiction.
