Why Addiction is a Disease; Part 2
Craving
Once the human brain has crossed the threshold into addiction, it never goes completely back. The midbrain, convinced of the necessity of the drug for resolving feelings of stress or discomfort, will cause what we call ‘cravings.’
Cravings are an intense state of physiological arousal (fight or flight response)
specifically circling around the intense and burning need or desire for the drug of addiction. It can be brought on by stress, boredom, excitement, or some other trigger.
When an addict is experiencing a craving, the midbrain is hyper activated. This tiny area in the middle lower stem of the brain pulls blood flow away from other areas of the brain and becomes enlarged. Instead of the higher levels of thinking, specifically the frontal cortex, determining the actions of the individual, the midbrain causes very strong impulses to seek out and use the drug.
A craving can cause sweating, rapid heart rate, nervousness, agitation, and other symptoms of stress. This is because the midbrain is also the area of the brain involved in the fight or flight response, as discussed above. So, if an individual is in a craving state, he or she is in a state of stress.
Cravings can happen frequently, but if allowed to pass without giving into them, can dissipate in as short a time as seven minutes. If, on the other hand, the addict does not apply coping skills learned in addiction treatment, the craving can last indefinitely, until the addict finally uses.
In a state of craving, most individuals will not seem quite themselves. They will say or do things they might otherwise never consider doing. Behaviors such as lying, cheating, stealing, manipulating, yelling, sulking are often seen as they go to great measures to get the drug. This has a lot to do with the blood flow to the midbrain, pulling away from the frontal cortex where values like honesty and compassion are processed.
To learn more about the brain chemistry of addiction call us now at 1-877-593-6777.
