Biological reasons for people relapsing into Alcohol addiction after treatment.
In general, getting out of alcohol addiction is a difficult battle. Even after completing proper treatment and staying on the recovery path for a long time, many people slip back into old habits. It is crucial to understand why it happens. At the surface level, it might appear to be a matter of willpower. But, in reality, there are a host of Biological, Psychological, and Sociological reasons why people slip back. In this 3-part blog, we are going to explore each of these in detail.
In this blog, we will cover the biological reasons why people relapse.
Reward system of the human brain: Wired for Relapse
The human brain is one of the most powerful and complex organs. On one hand, it has incredible power while on the other, it has a few ways in which it can easily trap us. What alcohol does is simple - It associates and affects the brain’s reward system. When a person consumes alcohol, it triggers the release of dopamine - a chemical responsible for feelings related to pleasure. Once this behavior is repeated multiple times, the brain is conditioned to associate alcohol with pleasure (Reward).
Now, after your de-addiction treatment, even if you have quit drinking for some time, the brain still craves the same old dopamine high. The problem is that the person is not always conscious of this craving. Since the brain holds the old memories of the pleasure associated with alcohol, it becomes easier for one to relapse especially when one is stressed, tired, bored, or in specific social settings. These triggers create the urge, the urge brings the memory of the past pleasure, and in no time, the person is fighting the urge to consume alcohol.
The Brain Chemistry and Withdrawal
One of the other main reasons why relapse happens is due to the imbalance in the brain’s chemicals during the withdrawal process. When the person stops drinking, the brain has to adjust to regular functioning without alcohol. It does not happen overnight. It takes quite some time for the neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate to return to normal, stable levels. During this period, there is a high chance that the brain might become hypersensitive to stress, anxiety, etc. This hypersensitivity can feel overwhelming, tempting the person to go back to alcohol for relief.
Genetic Influence:
In certain cases, the patients are genetically predisposed to alcohol addiction complicating the process of recovery. Many studies have established the relationship between relapse and certain gene patterns. In these cases, there is a greater chance that the patient might experience stronger cravings and have intense responses to triggers making it difficult to sustain the behavior change. In a nutshell, if addiction runs in your family, it might be because your brain reacts differently to alcohol compared to others due to genetic reasons.
Conclusion: Battling Biology
Now that you have understood the biological reasons why people relapse, I am sure that you will be better equipped to manage it better. With the right strategies like therapy, medication, and the right support system, it is possible to handle relapse effectively. So, when someone relapses, they must not consider it as a failure, instead, understand the factors behind it to fight it better. The best way to handle it is to seek professional help and reach out to psychiatrists or clinical psychologists who can treat deaddiction.
Dharshini S
Psychiatric Social Worker
Avinashi Rd, behind FUN Republic Mall, Peelamedu, nava india, Gandhipuram, Thudiyalur, Koundampalayam, lakshmi mills, Anna Statue Signal, Codissia, Hopes College,Tiruppur, Salem, Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu, India