Addiction

A quick look at addictive behavior

The National Institute of Drug Abuse describes addiction as “a disease that affects both brain and behavior.” Addiction can be seen as any activity, behavior, substance, or object that consumes a person’s life to the point of creating harmful effects on family life, social, mental, or occupational functioning. There are a myriad of things to which a person can become addicted.  Some of these include but are not limited to gambling, eating, sex, work, gaming, pornography, shopping, internet; etc.  Researchers have identified similarities in the effects on the brain between physical addiction to a variety of chemicals, and psychological dependence to various activities.¹

The science of the brain is such that when you engage in healthy activities, such as a hike, or bike ride, the brain releases endorphins producing a “natural high.” Conversely, in an addictive pattern of behavior, e.g. abusing drugs, chemicals produce a sense of euphoria (“high”) which may lead to an exaggerated sense of physiological and physical well-being. Hence, even though certain drugs or behavior create an artificial high, the doses of dopamine produce a signal of immediate gratification and pleasure that seems very real to the brain. Consequently, evoking a counterfeit sense of elation that generates a dysfunctional sequence of behavior.

Some experts propose that a person who continues certain activities to achieve this sense of euphoria (altered state of well being) may be engrossed in an addictive cycle. As such, continuing a destructive pattern of neurotransmission, despite negative consequences in one’s physical health or relationships. 

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