Biology of Addiction: Brain Neurotransmitters – Outpatient Program

As you progress further into Session Five of Outpatient addiction treatment at The Right Step, you will have the opportunity to increase your understanding regarding the biology of addiction, including the effect of drugs on the brain and the brain neurotransmitters.

Experienced, licensed instructors will discuss the ways in which the brain controls more than just the way you think. The brain also controls physical sensations and body movements.

Through group discussions and exercises, including the use of visual aids, you will learn more about how the brain controls how we understand things, what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, as well as our sense of balance and coordination.

Memory, feelings of pleasure and sense of reward are also controlled by the brain.  The brain’s control over your ability to make proper judgments will also be discussed during your addiction treatment.

Addiction Treatment: Learning More about the Brain

Our daily actions and behaviors are dependent on the brain receiving, processing, and sending messages to different parts of the body.

When we feel good for whatever reason, whether laughing with a friend, seeing a good movie, or eating our favorite ice cream, the brain’s reward system is activated.

The reward system in your brain is a collection of neurons that release dopamine. When dopamine is released by the brain’s neurons, pleasure is experienced. Scientists have linked dopamine to most drugs of abuse, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, alcohol and nicotine.