By Sharan Mujoo
Humankind is a species which showcases repetitive behavioural patterns better known as habits. Sometimes, they develop into compulsions which start interfering with the life of an individual adversely. It is then that these habits turn into addictions.
Talking about addictions
Man is largely a creature of habit, and many of his activities are more or less automatic reflexes from the stimuli of his environment, said the American Psychologist, G. Stanely Hall. While it may reflect a pessimistic view of humankind, it does not stand far from reality.
An addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing condition which forces the individual to seek rewarding stimuli. It is a term which, over time, has built strong associations with ‘drugs’words like cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and tobacco spring to mind immediately. However, addictions are not just limited to drugs. Any stimulus which causes an individual to seek for it, again and again, can become an addiction. Today, with the advent of technology, new behavioural patterns have emerged which have turned into addictions. Millennials are wrapped around screens for hours on end, eagerly anticipating that ‘like’ on their uploaded photo. Buying patterns are emerging which defy the economic reality of individuals. Gaming habits are so compulsive that they are forcing the designing of even more levels.
The reward system
What causes such extreme attachment to the activities that lead to the destruction of mind, body and soul? Science is at a stage now where it can determine the underlying causes of such activities. With advances in neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and PET, we can peek into the organ where the addiction driving system sitsthe brain.
The three-pound mass is probably the most complex organised system ever known to man. In order to understand addictions, we must understand a system present within this organ, the reward system. Important for motivation, learning and habit formation, besides other things, it is this system which most addictions target. It causes the release of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that regulates motivation, movement and feelings of pleasure. Once an addict gets hooked on a habit, this chemical drives the goal-directed behaviour.
Withdrawal and depression
An individual experiences maximum pleasure when anticipating a reward. Otherwise, no action would be taken in order to achieve the goal. Over a period of time, individuals develop tolerance towards the levels of dopamine release. The number of cigarettes one usually smokes simply do not give enough pleasure. Take this stimulus away and withdrawal starts. An insatiable craving drives actions to achieve the desired stimuli at any cost. It is then that one starts spiralling down into the hole of addiction and abuse, which consequently leads to depression and destruction of the body.
Individual differences and history
Although the method of functioning remains the same in individuals, there are differences. Studies show that there is a genetic dependence on the susceptibility to addictions. Some brains simply do not release enough dopamine when compared with others receiving the same stimuli. This is what leads to individual differences in people with respect to addictions.
The work of B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov laid the foundation of operant reinforcement and classical conditioning. Lever pressing rodents would be conditioned to perform actions required for attaining reward. By the 1950s, the work of James Olds and Peter Milner started showing the first signs of a reward system. Since then, the study of addictions has come a long way.
With the emergence of Neuropharmacology, we are now capable of producing drugs which can regulate the functioning of the reward system to an extent. Modern genetic techniques show great promise in editing the genes responsible for susceptibility to addictions.
Need for emotional intelligence
More than advances in curative treatments, though, there is a need for the development of preventive measures for addictions. Emotional intelligence about oneself is becoming imperative in an increasingly VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) world where people look for easily available coping mechanisms to deal with stress. The brain is a lazy organ. To conserve energy, it chooses the path of least resistance. Therefore, one must not be surprised when individuals choose the paths of alcohol, social media and shopping to attain pleasure easily.
The picture is not completely bleak though. Dopamine is also released when one performs exercises. A healthy level can make one more productive and creative as well. Oxytocin and serotonin are other neurotransmitters which are released when one is happy and bonding socially. Rising empirical evidence shows that a healthy level of these brain chemicals leads to decreased stress levels and a better cognitive performance. An increased awareness about addiction can allow us to better deal with them and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Photo Credit: aronbaker2 on Visual hunt / CC BY