Addiction And The Brain

Addiction is still somewhat of an unsolved mystery and no one is exactly sure how a certain substance acts on the brain. A popular definition of addiction is progressing from liking the substance to needing the substance and constantly seeking it out despite any negative consequences the user may experience. There is still much research to be done in the field of addiction especially alcoholism. The mechanism alcohol utilizes is disinhibition of GABA in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory transmitter and when it is being disinhibited it is being released more into the brain. This increase of GABA levels in the brain cause the user to feel calm and relaxed. This increase in GABA also causes the user to lose motor function. GABA is also an antagonist
on dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain causing a decrease in the release of these neurotransmitters (Sulzer D., 2011). The mechanism that alcohol has on the brain is a complex one, but the discovery of what makes people more susceptible to alcoholism still remains much of a mystery to researchers. Scientists and researchers alike try and claim that addiction is purely in direct correlation with biology or purely a behavioral factor. Alcoholism is such a complex disease it is hard to claim one way or the other, but it is most likely a fair mixture between biology and behavior that makes a person more susceptible to becoming addicted to alcohol. Although the biology part of alcoholism is very interesting this paper will be focusing purely on the behavior side of alcoholism.