Alcohol Hijacks The Brain Study Finds

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Alcohol Hijacks The Brain Study Finds
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A new US study conducted by neuroscientists has
uncovered an explanation as to why alcoholics
crave alcohol so badly Alcohol hijacks the
brain. The scientists aim was to find out why,
even after years of abstinence in some cases,
those who have suffered from alcohol addiction
are still vulnerable to relapse. This follows the
National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
recognising addiction as a chronic relapsing
brain disease.
Fruit Flies Unlock The Mystery Of
Alcoholism Using fruit flies as the basis of the
neuroscience studies, the scientists from the
famous Browns University, Rhode Island in the US,
found that one of the key molecular structures
that fruit flies and humans share is disrupted by
alcohol and genetically changed as a result. This
disruption occurs in the brains pleasure-reward
centre and is key to animals and humans chasing
rewarding experiences.
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We have known for a long time that addiction of
any kind, whether it be to alcohol, drugs,
behavious or activity, is linked to brains
reward system and involves euphoric recall.
Hence, there is currently no medical cure for
addiction. The scientists conducting the study
wanted to find out how addiction occurs on a
molecular level in the case of alcoholics. Fruit
flies were used as a comparable substitute for
the human brain, as whilst they only have 100,000
neurons in comparison to humans who have 100
billion neurons, they share some core features of
the brains structure the pleasure-reward
system pathway being one of them.
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Alcoholic Suffering Is Not A Deterrent
Dr Karla Kaun, an assistant professor of
neuroscience at Browns University and senior
author of the published findings, explained the
purpose of the study which was conducted by a
team of undergraduates, technicians and
postdoctoral researchers She said One of the
things I want to understand is why drugs of abuse
can produce really rewarding memories when
theyre actually neurotoxins.
Researchers at Brown University found that
alcohol and drugs hijack the brain creating
euphoric recall.
The professor added All drugs of abuse
including alcohol, opiates, cocaine,
methamphetamine have adverse side effects. They
make people nauseous or they give people
hangovers, so why do we find them so rewarding?
Why do we remember the good things about them and
not the bad? My team is trying to understand on a
molecular level what drugs of abuse are doing to
memories and why theyre causing cravings.
The findings of Browns University alcohol study
were published late October ths year, in the
journal Neuron and on Browns University website.
Full details of the study and its findings can be
found by following this link.
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Alcohol And Euphoric Recall
The study concluded that alcohol hijacks a
conserved memory pathway in the fruit flys brain
that is identical to the one in humans. This
particular memory pathway is responsible for
euphoric recall. Alcohol changes the molecular
version of the genes made in this pathway, which
in turn forms cravings that fuel addiction. This
explains why this particular baffling (and often
misunderstood) characteristic of alcoholism
remains even once alcohol consumption has
ceased. Why would an individual who has lost all
as a result of their alcoholism even consider the
possibility of taking another drink once they
have gotten sober? The answer to this is
partially reflected in the studies findings and
what we already know of alcoholism that
alcoholics have no natural in-built defense
against their brains altered reward system
pathway, which at certain times only recalls what
alcohol did for them as opposed to what it did to
them. Each relapse, following a period of
sobriety, is commonly worse for an alcoholic in
the vast majority of cases. This is due to the
fact that the disease of addiction, which is
created on a molecular level within the brain, is
progressive in nature. It dictates the
individuals thinking and removes their ability to
see truth and reason.
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Science Is Eradicating The Stigma Of Alcoholism
One thing that has been clear for a long time is
that alcoholism isnt a choice, it is a disease
and compulsion that is beyond the sufferers
control. The chemical changes to the brains
reward system induced by repeated exposure to
alcohol, leave an alcoholic powerless over
alcohol. The power of choice is lost. What is
not yet clear is what makes one individual
predisposed to developing alcoholism and another
not. We know that there are contributing factors
to addiction such as trauma, mental ill health,
genetics and environmental upbringing, but
science is yet to fully establish the main
determining factor(s). The more that science
comes to understand alcoholism and the causes of
alcoholism, and the more that this information is
fed back into the world, the less stigma there
will be and more individuals will seek life
saving treatment and help as a result.
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What Is The Answer To Recovery From
Alcoholism? The reality as we see it, is
this An alcoholic will always have the disease
of addiction residing within their brain. Once
they are aware of the nature of their illness,
the associated behaviours that enable it, and
they have been shown the tools and means to
challenge and change their own thinking, they
then possess the ability to cut to the truth.
They are able to see reason and reject the
thought of alcohol in favour of a healthier
coping strategy. Step by Step Recovery
understands the importance of rehabilitating the
brain following an alcohol detox. Each patient we
treat has their own experience of alcoholism and
how it affects them and their loved ones. We
therefore design a bespoke and very
specific alcohol rehab programme that is
therapeutic and holistic in nature to challenge
and change the core beliefs that drive their
addiction. By introducing our Lighthouse rehab
patients to mindful practices, healing on a
deeper level, awareness and healthy coping
strategies, we are able to provide alcoholics
with the life saving tools required for
continuous sobriety.
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Specialised Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Step by Step Recovery are passionate about saving
lives and helping alcoholics and addicts to
recover from alcoholism. We provide a totally
non-judgemental residential rehab environment in
which you or your loved one can be nurtured back
to full mental, emotional and physical health.
We teach proven methods of awareness and change
that are conducive to healing from compulsive
behaviors and substance abuse. Recovery from
alcoholism IS possible we know, many of our
counsellors and therapists are in recovery from
addiction themselves. Call us today on 0800 170
1222 or complete our online form and take the
first step to a brand new alcohol and addiction
free life! Sources and References https//news.b
rown.edu/articles/2018/10/alcohol https//www.scie
ncedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181025142050.htm htt
ps//www.drugabuse.gov/
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