When people start alcohol intake and use other drugs, they don’t know what adverse consequences they are going to face. Addiction is a disease in which the individual brain is directly affected because drugs are mind-altering, which means they change the brain structure and function. Addiction leads to much neurological damage; that’s why addicts face many neurological issues. Willing Ways is the best addiction treatment center in Lahore, prioritizing the best treatment methods for addiction. The highly qualified doctors and psychologists deal with patients’ needs and help to make the lives of addicts drug-free. Counsellors do individual and family counselling for the good mental health of both addicts and their families.
In this article, we will discuss the withered brain and how alcohol and other drugs impact the addict’s brain, which affects the patient’s life.
Addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease in which people use drugs in large quantities and frequently. The daily routine of addicts is affected badly due to this disease. Addiction leads to bio, psycho and social deficits.
Withered Brain
Condition of the brain in which alcohol and other drugs affect the brain and make it weak, and it becomes sapless. The brain performance is reduced. The withered brain can’t function healthily because drugs have changed its anatomy. The overall look of the brain is altered, so the addicts face many neurological issues. The brain becomes less healthy. The alcoholic’s brain has decreased activity.
The most complex human organ is the brain, and addiction affects it entirely. As we all know, drugs are mind-altering drugs that change the brain’s anatomy and its overall functioning. There is a huge difference seen in a healthy brain and an alcoholic brain, as they function differently. The healthy brain performs its functions smoothly, but the alcoholic brain has slowed processing of functioning.
The advancement in brain imaging techniques has made it easier to have a look at the brains of living humans. A clinical neuroscientist and psychiatrist, Daniel G. Amen, M.D., used an imaging technique to scan the brains of alcohol abusers and other addicts. He describes that the brains of these people look toxic, as if someone has poured acid on their brain.
The withered brain has weak brain areas that control the basic functioning of humans. Alcohol consumption and drug addiction are the main causes of a withered brain, which leads to several impacts on a normal or healthy brain.
Alcohol’s Impact on Brain Anatomy and Functioning
Prefrontal cortex
When addiction makes the brain wither, the prefrontal cortex is the area badly affected, which is called our seat of consciousness. Our ability to sense who we are comes from this part of the brain. The prefrontal cortex functions to control our thoughts and behaviors. So, when the prefrontal cortex is affected, our thinking patterns are disturbed and behavior becomes unhealthy. Alcoholics show violent behavior. Alcoholics become unable to behave according to their moral values. Alcoholics face distraction issues because they can’t focus on one task properly. Lack of emotional expression and unhealthy relationship issues are also seen in alcoholics. Alcoholics also face mood instability and impulse control issues. The inability to learn from past mistakes also occurred. Alcoholics face memory problems too.
Limbic System & Temporal Lobes
The limbic system, which is also known as our emotion center, is also affected. In the temporal lobe and limbic system, there is a seat of spirituality. It means our sense of spirituality and all our spiritual connections are managed here. The limbic system and temporal lobe both play a role in shaping our personalities and spirituality.
Alcoholics face apathy because they become unable to express their emotions; they can’t express their desires, joys and sorrows. Lack of positive relationships with others and memory issues are seen by alcoholics when their limbic system and temporal lobes are affected.
Characteristics of an Alcoholic Withered Brain
- Offended easily
- Emotional Instability
- Mood Swings
- Aggression
- Violent behavior
- Distractibility
- Poor decision-making
- Become paranoid
- Poor problem solving
The brains of addicts changed and altered in a way that they couldn’t reason. logically and became unable to make decisions. The unhealthy brain performs unhealthy functions.
Conclusion
Drug addiction is a biopsychosocial disease in which the patient not only faces biological issues but also several psychological and social issues. The patient’s life became unmanageable. The patient not only become problematic for himself but also for his family. So, you should seek help from professionals or visit Willing Ways, the best addiction treatment center, or any other rehab center that treats patients and helps them to live a drug-free life.
Written by:
- Narmeen Tahir
- Psychologist
- Willing Ways Lahore