The Brain's Battle with Addiction: Dr. Robert Weathers Explains
The physiological processes that underlie addiction are common across all addictions: substance addictions and behavioral addictions.
Ever wondered how addiction rewires your brain? In this episode of 'Ask An Addiction Specialist', Dr. Robert Weathers dives deep into the three major brain changes caused by addiction. With a focus on the neuroscience behind both substance and behavioral addictions, Dr. Weathers sheds light on the physiological processes that make addiction so challenging to overcome. He discusses the role of stress and how elevated cortisol levels contribute to the numbing effect of addiction.
You’ll also learn about dopamine’s crucial part in addiction and how the brain becomes sensitized to drugs, making it hard to break free from their grip. But it's not all doom and gloom. Dr. Weathers highlights the brain's incredible ability to heal itself through neuroplasticity, offering hope for recovery. He emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships and social programs in the journey to sobriety.
Additionally, he provides practical advice on how to rebuild the dopamine system and reduce the overpowering urge to use. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to understand addiction from a scientific perspective, making it a must-listen for those in recovery and their loved ones.