The scientific reasons for addiction

It's only recently that experts have recognized that addiction is a mental disease and not merely a sign of low moral character. This is an overview of how addiction impacts a person's brain and other aspects of their body.

In the past, experts thought that drug and alcohol abuse were merely signs of low moral character and drug rehabilitation focused on trying to improve a person's "moral fiber." However, decades of scientific research have dispelled the myth that people become addicted to drugs because of flaws in their character. The accepted fact that drug and alcohol addiction are diseases with deep-rooted connections to the physical and chemical make-up of the brain has led to new treatments along with a new way to approach an addiction treatment program. Instead of focusing on punishment, treatment now looks to be therapeutic and provide solutions to the scientific reasons people become addicts.

Why are some people able to enjoy alcohol in moderation while other people drink so heavily that they end up in alcohol rehab? The reason is that the brain mechanisms of certain people are insufficiently able to handle the stimulation they receive from drugs or alcohol, leading them towards addiction. Specifically, when someone takes drugs they flood their nervous system with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates feelings of pleasure. Over time, the brain comes to need this feeling of pleasure on an increasing basis, over time leading our brains to "teach" our bodies to fill its need for dopamine through drugs and alcohol.

The reasons for this disparity between how people react to stimuli are varied. Genetics can play a major factor in determining a predisposition to addiction - many studies have shown that people with a history of addiction such as recreation drug use, alcohol or prescription drug abuse in their family backgrounds are more likely to become addicts themselves. There is also a recognized scientific link between existing mental conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and drug and alcohol abuse.

Environmental factors can also play a role in creating an atmosphere for addiction. People who come from chaotic home lives often end up in drug rehab centers trying to deal with painful addictions. This is especially true of people who come from abusive family backgrounds or those whose parents used drugs in the home. Peer influences can also play a significant role in setting the stage for abuse, particularly in younger children as they attempt to define their moral boundaries.

Nelson Conway is a freelance writer living in Pasadena, Calif. His work has been published by magazines and major online news sites.