Addiction, Happiness, and Retraining the BrainPersonal ResourcesBy Promises AustinOctober 2, 2014By Jeanene Swanson When it comes to addiction recovery, maintaining sobriety is a balancing act of grit, perseverance and hope. While these things aren’t easy to come by, they can all be achieved through a process of retraining the brain. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself. In addiction, more than one area of…
How Does Meth Damage the Brain?MethBy Promises AustinJuly 23, 2014Methamphetamine is one of several drugs of abuse classified as central nervous system stimulants. However, the drug produces more powerful effects than other stimulants and its repeated use can easily trigger the brain changes that foster drug dependence and drug addiction. In a study published in May 2014 in the journal Addiction Biology, a team…
Chronic Meth Use Damages Brain Structures, Impairs Mental FlexibilityMethBy Promises AustinMay 23, 2014Methamphetamine is a synthetically manufactured stimulant known for its ability to profoundly alter the brain’s chemical environment and foster both drug abuse and drug addiction. Some of the brain changes found in users of the drug may appear before problems with abuse and addiction begin, while others may stem from the direct impact of chronic…
Neurofeedback for Addiction TreatmentTherapiesBy Promises AustinApril 24, 2014New treatment techniques that can help those who struggle with substance abuse are always welcome news to those impacted by addiction. One of the most exciting developments in addiction treatment is neurofeeedback therapy. Based on biofeedback, which has been in use for decades, this therapy has been shown to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder,…
Cocaine Use Results in New Brain Growth That Increases Drug-Seeking BehaviorsCocaineBy Promises AustinFebruary 4, 2014A recent study provides evidence of the changes in the brain that follow cocaine use. The study shows that cocaine can trigger rapid growth of new brain cells in mice that impact learning and memory related to drug-seeking behaviors.
