Based on the new science of addiction, scientists have made links between the behavior of synapses and reward pathways in the brain. A reward pathway " is responsible for driving our feelings of motivation, reward and behavior." Pathways are made up by cells called neurons that give chemical and electrical signals to other cells. The brain is divided up into many sections. The reward pathway is located in the center of the brain. When the brain is unable to get the physical reward needed for survival; alcohol or a drug, the physical response is alarming.
Naturally the body provides most humans with a "feel good" chemical that produces pleasure.The hormone is also related to the human sense of trust. A joyful event or even a Facebook interaction can provide it. A recent study done by Paul J. Zak, Professor at Claremont College and author of The Moral Mocule: Vampire Economics and the New Science of Good and Evil, found that the chemical oxytocin, also called the "cuddle hormone" levels increased during a Twitter transaction by 13.2 percent. Zak says, "Facebook users who use the site multiple-times per day, is 43 percent more likely than other internet users and more than three times as likely as non-internet users to feel that most people can be trusted."
Alcohol and Drug addiction are directly linked to the reward (pleasure) pathway and loss of control. Although there are factors of genetics, environment and behavior that cause a compulsive desire for alcohol and drugs, before the desire, there are changes that happen in the brain. If eventually scientists can discover a way to prevent this change, addictions can be a thing of the past.
In the meanwhile, for those seeking help from an inhibiting or life threatening addiction, there are treatment therapies to help offered at residential treatment centers. A starting place is Residentialtreatmentcenter.com. The site offers an overview of what a treatment center is center, resource listings and what to expect. The site helps match a person seeking help with an impatient facility center that offers a safe place to explore feeling and thoughts about addiction and loss of control.
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