How substance abuse rewires the brain

Image source: news.harvard.edu

For a long time, history had judged addiction as a failure in morals. Thankfully, the rise of more scientific and behavioral approaches to the handling and treatment of substance abuse has overridden the pervading notions that moral and religious reeducation was enough. These likewise made it clear that neuroscience is key in understanding addiction, says Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group.


Scientists now know that chronic exposure to and abuse of drugs alter the brain, particularly leading to the so-called fragile X mental retardation protein or FMRP. This very protein is also the leading cause of intellectual disability and autism. Researchers are now keen on looking further at brain molecules that control the development of drug addiction with the hope of discovering new treatment methods.

Image source: psychologytoday.com

FMRP is particularly an issue for those repeatedly exposed to cocaine, as the drug uses the protein to create changes in the brain that are connected to addiction-related behaviors. It must be noted that while some experiences modify the brain by allowing one to remember and learn, alterations caused by substance abuse are harmful, end up reinforcing addictive behaviors.

It is the conditioned brain that itself makes addiction recovery difficult, and those affected by chronic drug use will struggle to combat a brain that has been rewired to accommodate addiction. But to beat it, the very mechanisms that have caused it must be used, consciously working rigorously on the behaviors to live more healthily, adds Curtis Cripe. It will take time and much effort to rehab the drug-conditioned brain, but it must nonetheless be done.

Dr. Curtis Cripe has behind him a diverse multidisciplinary professional and academic background, having worked in aerospace, engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, and child neurodevelopment. For similar posts, visit this blog.