Do you also have an addiction to something? Are you also here to know how long it will take to get rid of it? For now, we have the answers to all your questions.
There is no precise time duration to rewire the brain from addiction because it depends on several factors. Your type or substance of addiction, your usage duration, its severity, and how you are treating it. For example, there are certain powerful addictions like cocaine that are very difficult to get rid of.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything from providing information about addiction to brain chemistry. Moreover, we will also share the treatment options for this purpose.
What Is An Addiction?
An addiction is a complex condition. It is repetitive engagement in a behavior or consumption of a substance despite knowing it is not good for you. People with addiction have an intense focus on engaging in a particular behavior or using a particular substance to the point where it starts affecting the quality of their life.
Addiction is often associated with tolerance. It means the increased need for the substance or behavior to achieve the same effect. You may also notice withdrawal symptoms when you are not engaging in the behavior or consuming the substance. It is considered a chronic relapsing brain disorder that causes changes in the brain’s structure and function.
Understanding The Brain Rewiring Process
The brain rewiring process simply means training your brain to stop showing substance-seeking or other addiction behaviors. Usually, there are certain triggers that make you do the same work again and again. These triggers vary depending on the addiction and your nature.
The rewiring process reduces the effect of these triggers until they are ineffective. We teach different reactions to the brain when it is exposed to these triggers. For example, if someone has a gambling addiction, they feel the need to gamble whenever they have money. Here, you will teach your brain to spend money in other ways or save it instead of gambling whenever you have money.
When Does Brain Chemistry Normalize After Detox?
There is no simple answer to the time it takes to normalize your brain chemistry after detox. It depends on several factors, including the type of addiction, the intensity of the addiction, the treatment method, etc. It is usually not a quick process. It takes some time to get rid of it completely.
You should not worry or stress about the time to get rid of it. Just do what is in your control, which means follow the best practices, make necessary lifestyle adjustments, and you will start improving.
Can You Heal Your Brain Cells After Addiction?
Yes, you can heal your brain cells after addiction. There are multiple ways that can help you in this regard. Following are some of these ways that can help you with it.
- The first one on our list is exercise. Any type of regular physical activity can help you with it. It is because it increases the size of your hippocampus.
- The next one is meditation practice. It helps you by strengthening your brain cells, which are weakened due to addiction.
- Substance addiction often causes vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can also free your brain from addiction.
- The next tip to heal your brain cells is to get good sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene to improve the quality of your sleep.
- Evidence-based treatment can also be helpful in getting rid of addiction.
Treatments
There are multiple types of treatment options that are beneficial for getting rid of addictions. Following are some of the most popular options for this purpose. Let’s take a look at it.
- Join a detox program. A very common treatment option in this regard is to join a detox program. It is a process in which you completely remove the addictive substance from your body.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify and change addictive thought patterns. It helps you identify the triggers and teaches you coping strategies. It empowers you to regain control over your behavior and choices.
- Family Therapy: The next one is family therapy. It involves restoring relationships with your family and seeking their support to get rid of addiction.
- 12-Step programs: 12-Step programs are very beneficial to make you sober and help you with personal growth.
Your doctor may also recommend other solutions according to your needs. The best way is to follow your doctor’s recommendations for this purpose.
Final Words
That was all you needed to know about rewiring your brain for addiction. It is a very challenging and long journey, so you are not focused on the time it takes to get rid of addiction. Instead, you should be focused on changing your lifestyle and following the best practices to get rid of it.
You should not take any sort of addiction lightly and take the necessary measures in time if you notice any signs of dependence. It is because as time passes, it becomes more severe, and it is even harder for you to leave it.
