Verslaving en Neurotransmitters

Addiction: What happens in your brain and what role do neurotransmitters play?

Geschreven door: Ebrina van der Bijl

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Gepubliceerd op:

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Leesduur: 6 min

Have you ever wondered what exactly happens in your brain when you struggle with addiction? Why is it so hard to quit, even though you know it's not good for you?

Addiction is much more than a habit or a choice. It changes the way your brain works.

In this article, I'll explain what addiction does to your brain, what role neurotransmitters play, and why this insight is important for your recovery.

Addiction changes brain structures, reducing control and making it difficult to stop.

The dopamine and serotonin balance is disturbed, which reduces the feeling of reward and increases the craving for the substance.

Recovery requires medical guidance, psychological support and a lifestyle that helps restore neurotransmitters.

Table of contents
What is addiction? Addiction in the Netherlands: Facts and figures The role of neurotransmitters in addiction Neurotransmitters: Cause or result of addiction? How do you keep your neurotransmitters in balance? Practical help with addiction with a 12-step plan The 12-step program for addiction Good to know #1. Iron Premium - Natural Performance

What is addiction?

Addiction means you have a strong urge to use or do something, even if it has negative consequences. You might recognize that feeling: that uncontrollable urge that's hard to say no to.

This is because addiction affects your control and your brain reacts differently. This makes quitting more difficult and can be accompanied by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

That's why recovery often requires more than just willpower. It involves a combination of medical help, psychological support, and changes in your lifestyle and environment.

Addiction in the Netherlands: Facts and figures

Addiction takes many different forms, from alcohol and prescription drugs to gambling, gaming, and shopping. It affects far more people than you might think.

In 2021, approximately 55,000 people in the Netherlands already sought treatment for addiction, primarily for problems with medication (especially benzodiazepines), tobacco, and alcohol. The number of people with an online gambling addiction is also increasing rapidly.

Yet, the group of "addicts" is much larger. It is estimated that over 600,000 people in the Netherlands have a drug addiction. This shows that not everyone with an addiction seeks or receives help, or is aware of the problem. (1) (2) (3)

The role of neurotransmitters in addiction

To understand what addiction does to your brain, it's important to know something about neurotransmitters. These are chemical messengers in your brain that transmit signals between nerve cells. They play a major role in how you feel, think, and behave.

Two of the main neurotransmitters involved in addiction are dopamine and serotonin .

  • Dopamine is often called the 'reward chemical' because it makes you feel good when you do something fun or enjoyable.
  • Serotonin helps regulate your mood and also influences your well-being and emotional balance.

With addiction, the system of these neurotransmitters becomes unbalanced. For example, using drugs or alcohol causes your brain to produce extra dopamine, which amplifies the feeling of pleasure.

Over time, your brain's own dopamine production decreases, making it increasingly difficult for you to experience the feeling of "good" without the drug. This contributes to the development of addiction and the difficult recovery process. (4) (5) (6)

Neurotransmitters: Cause or Result of Addiction?

An imbalance of neurotransmitters is usually not the cause of addiction, but rather its consequence . Using addictive substances or behaviors alters the functioning of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in your brain.

This disruption causes you to need increasingly more of the substance to experience the same pleasure or relaxation. This throws off balance in your brain, which reinforces addiction and makes recovery more difficult.

How do you keep your neurotransmitters in balance?

Because addiction can disrupt this delicate balance, it's important to know how to keep your neurotransmitters in optimal balance. Your brain functions best when the balance of substances like dopamine and serotonin is optimal.

Although a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee against addiction , it can support the functioning of your brain.

Below you will find some practical tips to positively influence your neurotransmitters:

  1. Exercise regularly - Physical activity stimulates dopamine and serotonin production, which improves your mood and motivation. Consider taking a daily walk, cycling, or playing sports.
  2. Get enough sleep - During sleep, your brain recovers and neurotransmitters are rebalanced. Try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night.
  3. Eat a varied and nutritious diet - Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants support the production and functioning of neurotransmitters. Consider oily fish, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fruit.
  4. Relax and reduce stress - Chronic stress disrupts neurotransmitters, especially serotonin. Techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, or mindfulness can help you relax.
  5. Maintaining Social Connections - Positive social interactions stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin, which boost your emotional well-being.

Practical help with addiction with a 12-step plan

If you are dealing with an addiction, professional help is often important for your recovery.

Connection SGGZ is a recognized institution that offers comprehensive addiction care, both outpatient in the Netherlands and inpatient in South Africa. They combine medical care, psychotherapy, and guidance from experienced professionals to provide you with the best possible support.

The benefits of this professional help include:

  • Personal treatment that suits your situation
  • A mix of medical and psychological therapies
  • Support for people who have personal experience with addiction
  • Aftercare and relapse prevention to promote sustainable recovery
  • Treatments that focus on body, mind and social environment

The 12-step program for addiction

The 12-step program plays a key role in their program, which guides you step-by-step through the recovery process. Here are the 12 steps in brief:

  1. Admitting the Problem – Recognizing That You Can't Win the Battle with Addiction Alone
  2. Willingness to accept help – Being open to help and giving yourself another chance
  3. Accepting Help – Trusting a “higher power” or group conscience to provide direction
  4. Taking Stock – Honestly Reflecting on Your Life and Behavior
  5. Mistake Admission – Being willing to admit your mistakes to yourself and others
  6. Exploring Weaknesses – Facing Negative Traits and Dealing with Them Positively
  7. Willingness to change – Actively working on your behavior and shortcomings
  8. Taking Responsibility – Looking back at the damage you caused and taking responsibility
  9. Restore Relationships – Making amends with people you've hurt
  10. Keep doing self-examination – Stay alert and keep improving yourself
  11. Seeking Spiritual Deepening – Integrating Peace and Spiritual Growth into Your Daily Life
  12. Helping Others – Sharing what you've learned to support others in their recovery

Good to know

Addiction is a complex process in which neurotransmitters play a significant role, but are certainly not the only factor. Many other factors play a role, such as your environment, emotions, and personal history.

So, the balance of your neurotransmitters is just a glimpse into what's happening in your brain during addiction. Understanding how the chemicals in your brain work can help you better understand why it's sometimes so difficult to get a grip on things.

If you really want to make progress, it is important to look more deeply at the causes and seek appropriate support.

Ebrina van der Bijl - Natural Performance

Ebrina van der Bijl

Ebrina is a nutritionist with a deep commitment to healthy eating and a sustainable lifestyle, based in beautiful Portugal. Her passion for natural and organic products is at the heart of her work. With a background in Nutrition & Dietetics and experience in product development and writing, she translates complex scientific information into practical advice for a balanced lifestyle.

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Sources used

  1. IVZ Foundation (2023). Interim report on key figures in addiction care 2016-2021. In the National Alcohol and Drug Information System. https://cdn.bluenotion.nl
  2. De Graaf, R., Have, MT, & Van Dorsselaer, S. (2010). The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study‐2 (NEMESIS‐2): design and methods. International Journal Of Methods In Psychiatric Research, 19(3), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.317
  3. (2011). National Prevalence Survey on Substance Use 2009: The Key Figures. In National Prevalence Survey on Substance Use 2009: The Key Figures. IVO. https://ivo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Van-Rooij-et-al.-2011-NPO-2009-Moddelengebruik.pdf
  4. Volkow, N.D., & Morales, M. (2015). The Brain on Drugs: From Reward to Addiction. Cell, 162(4), 712–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.07.046
  5. Müller, CP, & Homberg, JR (2014). The role of serotonin in drug use and addiction. Behavioral Brain Research, 277, 146–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.007
  6. Koob, G.F., & Volkow, N.D. (2016). Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(8), 760–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(16)00104-8

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