How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?

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Addiction is a disease that takes a toll on the entire body. However, the area that often sustains the most significant impact is the brain. Permanent changes can be made which alter one’s personality, memory, mood, and more. Read on to learn more about how addiction affects the brain.

Magnolia Recovery is a safe, temptation-free environment outside of Charleston, SC for women to work through the 12-steps. Contact us to learn more.

Addiction & Your Brain

Addiction significantly alters the way that your brain functions. When you use an addictive substance, your brain is flooded with dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that controls feelings of pleasure. While dopamine is commonly released after certain activities like exercising and eating, considerably more is released upon the use of an addictive substance.

This is where your brain begins to change. After repeatedly using an addictive substance, your brain becomes used to the high levels of dopamine that are being released, hence dulling its effects. When your tolerance for the drug increases, your brain requires more and more of the substance to feel the pleasurable effects of the dopamine. Soon, it will need an extremely high amount in order to function “normally.”

When you are not using the substance, you get the urge for it because your brain craves the rush from the dopamine. Over time, your need—aka, your brain’s need—to experience these pleasurable effects becomes a priority over everything else in your life.

Damages Cognitive Functions

In the long term, drug addiction has shown to have serious—and sometimes permanent—effects on cognitive functions, which are controlled by the brain. Some of these include:

  • Memory loss or difficulty remembering

  • Lack of concentration

  • Delayed reactions

  • Lack of sound judgment

  • Increased fatigue

In recovery, it is possible to undergo treatment to help restore these functions and strengthen the brain. However, even with persistent care, some cognitive functions may not ever be the same.

Changes Personality

In addition to making cognitive changes, many drugs also alter areas of the brain that control our personalities. Those who are addicted may experience the following:

  • Lack of motivation

  • Dulled emotions

  • Severe agitation

  • Mood swings

When you are addicted, it is common for you to experience the above both while on the substance as well as when you are craving the substance.

Recovery Can Help You Restore Your Life

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We hope you have a better understanding of how addiction affects the brain. If you have any questions, reach out to Magnolia Recovery for assistance. We offer women facing addiction a safe, temptation-free environment to work through our 12-step immersion program. If you believe that you or a loved one is addicted, we can help you in restoring your brain to its natural balance. Contact us today to learn more.