Have you ever been in conversation with a friend and heard them say they “need to rewire” or “retrain” their brain? Chances are good you’ve even said it yourself. And while it’s a funny expression, it accurately captures the concept that your brain is capable of changing thought and behavior patterns, a pretty great skill if you stop and think about it.
Our brains are “Command Central” for our bodies, not unlike a fancy computer. Donald Hebb, a Canadian psychologist many consider to be the “father of neuropsychology,” once said, “Cells that fire together, wire together.” He reworded it more scientifically when he said, “Any two cells or systems of cells that are repeatedly active at the same time will tend to become ‘associated,’ so that activity in one facilitates activity in the other.”
This is great news, because it means we can learn and reinforce new skills, from playing music to sports to drawing. If we don’t like our technique in something, we can change it or learn to do it differently or more efficiently. Fortunately, the same is true of addiction. This article will explain how addiction affects the brain and how to rewire your brain from addiction.
Substance use primarily affects two key areas of the brain: the cortex and the limbic system. The cortex is responsible for critical functions such as reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making, and our limbic system regulates instinctual survival behaviors. Repeated substance use can disrupt this balance which weakens the brain’s natural survival mechanisms and replaces them with a strong drive for substances. Over time, the brain will even think the substance is essential for survival.
The term “hijack” is commonly used to describe this process, as substances interfere with the brain’s reward system by altering dopamine levels—the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Dr. George Koob, director of NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, explains, “The brain actually changes with addiction, and it takes a good deal of work to get it back to its normal state. The more drugs or alcohol you’ve taken, the more disruptive it is to the brain.” This rewiring caused by substance use reinforces dependency, making recovery more difficult.
Thankfully, it is possible to rewire your brain from addiction.
Thanks to neuroplasticity, rewiring the brain from addiction is possible. Think of neuroplasticity like an operating system update for your phone. Just as a system requires updates and patches to improve performance and fix bugs, the brain needs time to adjust and replace old patterns with healthier ones. And, like your phone, this is an ongoing process that will continue over time. After substance use, some believe the brain begins to rewire itself within days, but in reality, recovery and neuroplasticity can take months or even years. The timeline depends on several factors, including the type of substance used, the duration and frequency of use, overall physical and mental health, and the withdrawal process. While the brain’s ability to heal is remarkable, the journey to full recovery requires patience and persistent effort. It won’t happen overnight.
There are several activities and strategies you can use to rewire your brain from addiction, and most of them can actually be enjoyable. Here are our favorite four:
Absolute Recovery Therapeutic Solutions (The ARTS) offers several treatment options for substance use disorders and mental health. In particular, therapy is another strategy to rewire your brain from addiction, and our licensed professionals have the experience and empathy to support you or a loved one in your journey to recovery. If you have been considering addiction treatment for yourself or your loved one, please contact us today.
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