Addiction is not a bad habit or lack of willpower—it's a brain disorder. It takes more than resolve to stop substance use disorders, and at Harlow Gardens Palm Springs, we understand that; it takes specialized treatment specifically to counteract the brain-altering power of addiction. Below, we will explore the science of addiction, how it takes …
Addiction is not a bad habit or lack of willpower—it’s a brain disorder. It takes more than resolve to stop substance use disorders, and at Harlow Gardens Palm Springs, we understand that; it takes specialized treatment specifically to counteract the brain-altering power of addiction. Below, we will explore the science of addiction, how it takes over the brain, and why it takes professional treatment to succeed in sustaining recovery.
How Addiction Changes the Brain
When a person uses alcohol or drugs, the brain’s reward system is taken over. This reward system, which is powered by the neurotransmitter dopamine, normally rewards survival activities such as eating or attachment. Drugs make a sudden rush of dopamine available to the brain, producing a powerful, synthetic high that eventually replaces these natural rewards. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), frequent substance use enhances neural circuits for cravings and damages those for self-control and decision-making.
- The prefrontal cortex, the reasoning center, is impaired, making it harder to resist acting on impulse.
- The amygdala, the emotional reaction center, intensifies stress and anxiety when the drug is gone.
This is a cycle of addiction: the brain’s craving is for the drug to feel “normal,” while it builds tolerance and requires more and more to have the same effect. Eventually, addiction reorganizes the brain and reprograms its functioning, making an optional behavior an obligatory compulsion.
The Long-Term Consequences of Addiction on the Brain
Long-term drug use doesn’t merely cause temporary alterations—it can create long-term harm. Research indicates that regular use of drugs such as opioids, alcohol, or methamphetamine has been shown to decrease gray matter in these regions, rendering people unable to concentrate, remember things, and manage their emotions.
- For instance, alcohol dependence has been associated with reduction in the hippocampus, a region that is responsible for learning and memory, and drugs such as cocaine have the ability to disrupt the brain’s stress response system, rendering the user susceptible to relapse.
These adaptations are why quitting “cold turkey” is so difficult. Without the help of a professional, the brain continues to be hardwired to value the substance over all else—relationships, health, and even survival responses. This is why learning about the science of addiction is crucial for anyone who is trying to recover or helping a loved one.
Why Professional Treatment Matters
The brain plasticity—the power to heal and adapt—bears promise, but healing does not happen by oneself. Therapeutic treatment provides the setting and expertise to remap those remapped brain paths. Harlow Gardens Palm Springs offers evidence-based treatments integrating medical detoxification, psychotherapy, and alternative therapy to treat body and mind from addiction.
- DetoxING under the watchful eye of a doctor safely regulates withdrawal symptoms, which could be deadly if allowed to persist.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients learn about triggers and resume decision-making functions, with group therapy stimulating community—essential in rehabilitating the brain’s social reward system.
- Our peaceful Palm Springs facility supports this process, providing a serene setting that relieves stress and facilitates healing.
Evidence supports this strategy: in a 2023 Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment research study, participants in intensive rehab programs were 50% more likely to be sober one year later than those trying recovery on their own. Professional treatment doesn’t cure symptoms—it heals the source: the changed state of the brain.
Begin Recovery with a Decision
Addiction can begin in the brain, but recovery begins with someone choosing. If you or a loved one is addicted to substances, don’t let the harm escalate. At Harlow Gardens Palm Springs, our experienced staff is here to walk you through a personalized recovery program that brings balance back to body and mind. Call us today to find out how our evidence-based therapies can empower you to take back your life—because your brain is worth healing.
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