For decades, addiction was seen as a moral failure, weakness in character, and even demonic possession in some cultures. However, as neurotechnology grows, we can now “see inside” the human brain and how it is affected by addiction.
Understanding how substance abuse affects the brain is a helpful motivator for individuals looking to quit using drugs or alcohol. Read on to learn more about the impact of drugs on the brain and how to rewire it to heal from addiction.
Addiction and The Brain
Addiction hijacks the brain’s reward system and increases the amount of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, causing intense feelings of pleasure and reinforcing addictive behavior. This drives compulsive drug use and makes it physically difficult to quit despite the negative consequences [1].
Chronic use of drugs or alcohol over time causes structural changes in the brain, affecting key regions that control functions such as mood, memory, learning, stress response, motivation, and decision-making.
Brain Regions Involved
Addiction affects nearly all parts of the brain; however, there are certain regions that play a significant role in the development of addiction.
Basal Ganglia
This is a region located deep in the brain that drives reward and pleasure and plays a significant role in routine, habit formation, and addiction. It is made up of two sub-regions that play a particularly important role in the development of a substance use disorder [1].
- Nucleus Accumbens: Plays a role in motivation and the experience of reward. It is what sends out cues in the brain that trigger cravings and drug-seeking behaviors.
- Dorsal Atrium: Plays a role in habit formation and routine. Repeated activation of the “habit circuit” in this region of the brain leads to compulsive substance seeking even if the consequences outweigh the reward.
Extended Amygdala
The amygdala is involved in stress and fear responses, often causing feelings of unease, anxiety, and irritability. This region plays the biggest role in drug withdrawal and causes distressing symptoms when substance abuse is stopped, sometimes making it difficult to quit without medical intervention. It is located beneath the basal ganglia and controls the “fight or flight” response.
The amygdala also interacts with glands that release stress hormones and help regulate several processes in the body. It is partially responsible for the physical symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal, such as sweating, trembling, increased heart rate, and nausea.
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
The PFC controls primary executive functions such as the ability to organize thoughts, prioritize tasks, manage time, regulate emotions, and make decisions. It is located at the front of the brain and also plays a role in memory and learning. Long-term drug use alters the structure of the PFC and reduces its ability to regulate emotions and behavior.
A damaged PFC can also complicate recovery, reducing the ability to regulate emotions, causing poor insight needed for treatment, and decreasing motivation. PFC also plays a role in impulse control, which can increase drug seeking and use. During drug use, the neurotransmitter glutamate is released in the prefrontal cortex. This drives cravings in the basal ganglia, triggering habit-like substance seeking [1].
Can You Rewire the Brain from Addiction?
Yes, you can rewire your brain from addiction. Research shows it takes anywhere from 28 days to a year or more. However, this depends highly on the individual and severity of their addiction [2].
Studies show after a year of abstinence from use, the brain returns to normal levels of activity and dopamine function in reward. However, several factors can affect this timeline, and some may notice visible changes sooner than others [3].
The Role of Neuroplasticity in Recovery
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new connections. It is the brain’s capacity to heal from addiction. Through continued abstinence, therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, the brain gradually forms new neural connections to reduce cravings and develop healthier behaviors.
How Long to Rewire the Brain from Addiction? Factors that Affect the Recovery Timeline
The timeline for recovering from addiction is highly individualized and depends on a range of biological, psychological, and social factors. With consistent healthy practices and routines many begin to notice neurological changes in as little as weeks to a few months. However, the process for the brain to fully heal and adapt to sobriety often takes several months to a year.
These include:
- Type of Drug: Some highly addictive drugs, such as methamphetamine or heroin, may take longer, sometimes requiring a year to 2 years for the brain to return to stable levels. On the other hand, marijuana and alcohol usually show significant cognitive recovery within a few months.
- Polydrug Use: Mixing substances can complicate recovery and prolong the neuroplasticity process (e.g, cocaine and alcohol, or marijuana and opioids).
- Gender: Some studies show women may experience more intense cravings post-withdrawal; however, men often suffer more long-term cognitive effects. These can be explained by hormonal differences and metabolism [4].
- Duration and Frequency: The longer someone has been using and the larger the amount they have been taking, the longer the recovery timeline. Early intervention can shorten the process.
- Genetics: Some individuals’ genetics allow their neurotransmitter system to recover and begin functioning quickly, while others have a higher vulnerability to addiction.
- Age and Neuroplasticity: Younger people often recover more quickly due to increased neuroplasticity.
- Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, or trauma can make it more difficult to overcome addiction and require specialized treatment.
- Support system and treatment: A solid support system, stable home environment, and evidence-based treatment greatly speed up recovery. Stress, poor sleep or eating habits, and lack of coping skills can all increase the chance of relapse and slow down the recovery period.
Strategies for Rewiring Your Brain After Addiction
There are several strategies to support your recovery journey and help rewire your brain after addiction.
- Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapies help reframe negative thought patterns and encourage patients to develop insight about their behaviors, promoting healthier neural pathways.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: These can improve brain plasticity by strengthening focus and self-awareness. Studies show regular meditation can increase gray matter in the brain associated with memory, self-control, and empathy [5].
- Social support: Social connections and interactions with loved ones release neurotransmitters such as oxytocin, which helps reduce stress and feelings of isolation, which can support motivation to continue with recovery.
- Learn A New Skill: Learning stimulates the brain and supports cognitive flexibility. Consider learning a new language, instrument, recipe, or professional skill.
- Regular Exercise: Exercise and daily movements increase the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which supports the growth and survival of new neurons.
- Sleep Hygiene: Getting sufficient and quality sleep is like recharging a battery. Sleep resets “synaptic strength” and strengthens neural connections.
Military-Focused Addiction Treatment Program in Orange County
In your journey to rewire your brain from addiction, treatment plays an essential role. Through a blend of evidence-based therapies, medication, and holistic healing activities, we help free veterans from America’s mental health and addiction crisis.
Miramar Health is a veteran-owned and operated recovery program providing trauma-informed care for veterans recovering from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our goal is to empower veterans to create a better future for themselves and support them as they reintegrate into civilian life.
Contact our admissions team today if you know a veteran who needs support.
Sources
[1] US Surgeon General. 2016. THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE USE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.
[2] UPenn. Neuroscience and addiction: Unraveling the brain’s reward system.
[3] Baler, R. et al. (2019). The Neuroscience of Drug Reward and Addiction. Physiological reviews, 99(4), 2115–2140.
[4] Torrens, M. et al. (2021). A Gender Perspective of Addictive Disorders. Current addiction reports, 8(1), 89–99.
[5] Tang, Y. (2020). Brief Mindfulness Meditation Induces Gray Matter Changes in a Brain Hub. Neural plasticity, 2020, 8830005.