The Addicted Brain | Free PDF Download

To understand how addiction to drugs and alcohol impacts the brain, we'll look at how the brain works, focusing on its reward system and how it sends signals. I'll simplify these ideas and use comparisons to everyday things to make it easier to grasp.

At the heart of addiction is the brain's reward system, primarily governed by a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Think of dopamine as the "feel-good" chemical. When you do something pleasurable, like eating your favorite food or spending time with loved ones, your brain releases dopamine. This release gives you a sense of pleasure and motivates you to repeat the behavior.