Is Addiction a Brain Disease?

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”#blog-hero” module_id=”blog-hero” module_class=”light page-hero” _builder_version=”3.27.1″ background_color=”#121620″ background_enable_image=”off” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25.3″][et_pb_slider use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”3.27.3″ header_level=”h1″ z_index_tablet=”500″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_button_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_button_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_button_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_button_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px”][et_pb_slide button_text=”Read More” button_link=”#blog-content” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” button_text_tablet=”Read More” button_text_phone=”Read More” _builder_version=”3.27.3″ background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https://stoneridgecenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/addiction-brain-disease-scaled.jpeg” background_enable_image=”on” button_on_hover=”on” background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”180deg” background_color_gradient_start_position_tablet=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position_tablet=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position_phone=”100%” child_filter_hue_rotate_tablet=”0deg” child_filter_hue_rotate_phone=”0deg” child_filter_saturate_tablet=”100%” child_filter_saturate_phone=”100%” child_filter_brightness_tablet=”100%” child_filter_brightness_phone=”100%” child_filter_contrast_tablet=”100%” child_filter_contrast_phone=”100%” child_filter_invert_tablet=”0%” child_filter_invert_phone=”0%” child_filter_sepia_tablet=”0%” child_filter_sepia_phone=”0%” child_filter_opacity_tablet=”100%” child_filter_opacity_phone=”100%” child_filter_blur_tablet=”0px” child_filter_blur_phone=”0px” hover_transition_duration_tablet=”300ms” hover_transition_duration_phone=”300ms” hover_transition_delay_tablet=”0ms” hover_transition_delay_phone=”0ms” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_image_phone=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_image_phone=”0px” box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_blur_image_phone=”40px” box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_spread_image_phone=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_button_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_button_phone=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_button_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_button_phone=”0px” box_shadow_blur_button_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_blur_button_phone=”40px” box_shadow_spread_button_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_spread_button_phone=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_phone=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” text_shadow_blur_strength_phone=”1px” sticky_transition=”on”]

[post_title]

[post_excerpt]
[/et_pb_slide][/et_pb_slider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”#blog-content” module_id=”blog-content” _builder_version=”3.27.1″ background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”content” _builder_version=”3.27.1″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ module_class=”blog-article” _builder_version=”3.27.1″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Most people agree that addiction is a disease. While people associate other diseases with the part of the body the condition affects, addiction isn’t always so obvious. Heart disease harms the heart. Liver cancer destroys the liver. Kidney disease damages the kidney. Behavioral health experts know that addiction hijacks the brain. That’s why we refer to addiction as a brain disease.

Addiction Begins In The Brain

Many people associate addiction with substance use, physical deterioration, reckless behavior, and criminal activity. But addiction is a relapsing disorder that begins in the brain. The brain registers all types of pleasure the same way, whether that gratification comes from drugs, money, sex, or food. The moment the brain processes pleasure, it releases dopamine, a chemical that helps regulate your mood, motivation, and ability to focus. Dopamine also plays a significant role in learning and memory. When you use addictive substances like drugs, an intense surge of dopamine floods the brain, which picks up on this pattern quickly.

This excess amount of dopamine enters the brain and instantly starts to change the way your mind works. The addictive substance is now identified as a source of pleasure, but that’s not all. The influx of dopamine causes the brain to memorize and learn what substance evoked the greatest amount of pleasure. The excess amount of dopamine then begins to interfere with glutamate, another brain chemical. Together, they take over the brain’s reward system and associate survival with pleasure and reward. At this point, addiction tricks the brain into thinking that it needs large amounts of pleasure-creating substances to survive. Experts believe this twisted chemical process may be responsible for addictive behavior. But addiction doesn’t just originate in the brain, it harms the brain, as well.

How Addiction Affects The Brain

woman struggling with mental effects of addictionThe brain is the most dynamic and complex organ in your body. When your brain functions well, you can make healthy decisions and manage your emotions appropriately. The brain also has a good amount of plasticity, which helps it adjust to and learn new patterns as well as rewire itself. But addiction hijacks the brain and uses the organ’s plasticity against itself. Instead of restructuring the brain’s patterns for good, addiction causes the brain to rewire itself in an impaired way, which creates unhealthy behavior patterns. The damage can happen in many ways, which may include:

Portions Of The Brain Impacted By Addiction

Some specific brain areas affected by addiction include:

Drugs like opioids can also disrupt the brain stem which controls everyday functions like your heart rate and regulates how well you breathe and sleep.

Addiction Is A Brain Disorder

More often than not, people view addiction as a behavioral problem. But in 2011, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) redefined addiction as a brain disorder. Substance use challenges can certainly lead to troubling and criminal behavior, but that’s a result of the brain’s weakened prefrontal cortex. So in reality, addiction is centered around the brain and its weaknesses.

Dr. Michael Miller explains it this way: “At its core, addiction isn’t just a social problem or moral problem or criminal problem. It’s a brain problem whose behaviors manifest in all these other areas. Many behaviors driven by addiction are real problems and sometimes criminal acts. But the disease is about brains, not drugs. It’s about underlying neurology, not outward actions.”

Treating Addiction and Restoring Brain Health

Here at StoneRidge Centers, we combine the best of what brain science and clinical support have to offer. We work hard to help restore your brain to its optimal health. We also incorporate exercise, nutrition, and evidence-based therapy into all of our addiction treatment programs to make sure you receive the comprehensive and holistic support you need. Contact us today at 928-583-7799 if you or a loved one are struggling with substance use challenges.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.27.1″][et_pb_sidebar orientation=”right” show_border=”off” module_class=”blog-sidebar” _builder_version=”3.27.1″]
[/et_pb_sidebar][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”#therapies” module_id=”therapies” module_class=”light” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ background_color=”#434652″ custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” global_module=”399″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”.hdr” module_class=”hdr” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Innovative, Evidence-Based Therapies” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

Innovative, Evidence-Based Therapies

Because mental health and addiction concerns are so often interconnected, we utilize research-based approaches with evidence-based outcomes that promote overall healing and recovery.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_id=”slicked” module_class=”slicked” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”TMS” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

magnet icon

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
This low-impact magnetic stimulation activates neurons inside the brain, relieving symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”qEEG/Brain Mapping” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

brain icon

qEEG/Brain Mapping
Using brain scanning and readings, we create a map of our patients’ brains, helping us develop more targeted and effective treatments.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Neurofeedback” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

brainwave activity icon

Neurofeedback
This process assists patients in visualizing their own brain functionality through continuous EEG readings.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spravato Therapy” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

medical IV bag icon

Spravato Therapy
We use carefully monitored doses of Spravato to help patients struggling with complex mental health disorders, including severe depression.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”CBT” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

brain and head icon

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Patients use this practice to help reframe intrusive or negative thought patterns and develop coping techniques for long-term recovery.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”DBT” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

balanced scales icon

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
This practice helps patients learn to regulate emotions, communicate more effectively, and process their own thoughts and feelings..

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”EMDR” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

eye icon

Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR)
Licensed and trained therapists guide patients through this technique for managing stress and anxiety on an ongoing basis.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Individual” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

single person icon

Individual Therapy
Patients experience one-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed therapist to provide a safe and private place to recover and heal.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Group” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

group icon

Group/Family Therapy
Patients can practice the skills and techniques they have learned in treatment with others in a safe, therapist-guided space. .

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”#pre-footer” module_id=”pre-footer” module_class=”light” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ background_color=”#141827″ global_module=”198″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”.contact” module_class=”contact” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact StoneRidge” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]

Contact StoneRidge Centers

5940 E. Copper Hill Dr. Ste B & E, Prescott Valley, AZ. 86314
928-583-7799

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ctas” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_button button_url=”https://goo.gl/maps/imD7wuXJ3pkMfcT37″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Get Directions” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_text=”Live Chat” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”3.27.3″ disabled=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”tel:18444754673″ button_text=”Call Now” _builder_version=”3.27.1″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.3)” divider_position=”center” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,1_5,1_5″ admin_label=”.bottom” module_class=”bottom” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”.logo” module_class=”logo” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

Stoneridge logoWe exercise progressive, leading brain science in our treatment approach for patients in our community and across the country who are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ module_class=”seals” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_image src=”https://stoneridgecenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JCAHO-Seal.png” alt=”Joint Commission National Quality Approval Seal” _builder_version=”3.27.3″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ module_class=”seals” _builder_version=”3.26.3″][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.26.3″][/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]