Addictive substances such as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, command our brain’s reward system and cause addiction. “Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive and process information” as stated by National Institute on Drug Abuse. Therefore, drugs change functioning of the brain from its roots. If we look at the matter from a physiological point of view, the chemical content of drugs encourages the brain’s reward system. This is how dopamine floods the brain’s reward system, which is one of the most important brain neurotransmitter. Dopamine is a hormone that regulates motivation, movement, emotion and pleasure. Dopamine gives the feeling of euphoric behavior and this is key mechanism that makes the person repeat the action.
Human connection is one of the most important factor that can trigger the secretion of dopamine. So, when a person falls in love with someone, his or her brain starts to secrete more dopamine along with oxytocin, which is another hormone that gives a good feeling. In contrast, emotional stress and disturbance, trauma, problems make disturb the balance between these crucial hormones. Thus, imbalance leads to addiction.
All human beings need social connection in order to develop efficient functional brain. This is also related to children and the way they are raised. Those children raised around loving family members without stress acquire an emotional stability. They grow up into confident children who handle stressful situations later in their adult life better.
Therefore, if your close one is struggling with any kind of addiction, the best way to cope with it is to give this person as much love and support necessary to overcome it. Reestablishing a healthy human connection is crucial in solving addiction. With emotional human connection, at the lowest point of your life, you’ll be ok.
An addict can try with the following steps to overcome his or her addiction:
- Seek an alternative source of pleasure
People dealing with addiction can try to find some other ways to get them busy and be entertained at the same time. Taking up skiing or other sport that stimulates adrenaline is a good way to get busy and feel good. Reading or meditation is also helpful for those who are physically more passive.
- Harness your creativity
Creative actions, such as drawing, painting or writing a book are also a good way to trigger release of dopamine.
- Distance from people who encourage addiction
If an addict hangs out too often with people who made them addicts, then the best way to heal is to avoid these people as much as they could. This is one of the crucial steps towards overcoming long-lasting addictions.
- Faith
When a person has faith in him or herself, anything is possible. Faith is the key element in achiving any goal. If a person believes in healing, and sees himself already healed and completely healthy, then freedom of any addiction will soon come.
Source:
