Medical expert of the article
New publications
Dependence is a chronic brain disease, scientists say
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
According to the new definition of the American Society for the Treatment of Addiction, dependence is a chronic brain disease , writes USA Today. This applies not only to alcohol and drugs, but also to gambling or uncontrolled absorption of food, the doctors say, so treatment of dependence, like any chronic illness, takes a long time.
"Problems with behavior are the result of a brain imbalance," the publication of Dr. Nora Volkou, director of the National Institute of Drug Addiction, quotes. "And brain pathology continues for many years after a person stops using drugs."
In the brain there is a complex interaction of emotional, cognitive and behavioral patterns. Influence on this process is rendered by genetics (people who experimented with drugs in adolescence or took strong anesthetics after trauma are more dependent ), age (frontal lobes helping to end the unhealthy behavior ripen among the latter, so it is more difficult for adolescents to cope with dependence) , and also the fact of the use of alcohol or drugs for resisting stress. As a result of the influence of dopamine in the hypothalamus, a connection is established between the reception of something and the reception of pleasure, which persists even when the use of these substances no longer brings pleasure because of habituation.
Understanding the fact that certain brain reactions are at the root of the problem of dependence, should help overcome social prejudices, specialists in the fight against dependence consider.
[