How Long Does it Take to Rewire Your Brain From Addiction?

When used regularly, addictive substances will change the functions of the brain.

This change in function is what makes the substance addictive as it changes our brain’s chemistry. It hinders our regular functions and dampens the brain’s ability to communicate with the body through neurotransmitters.

This process of change is often called “rewiring,” and we’ll cover how it happens and what it takes to rewire the brain back to a healthy state.

How Addiction Affects the Brain

Our brains are wired so that we are more likely to repeat behaviors that feel good. These behaviors include a lot of beneficial things such as socializing and exercising.

This is reinforced by dopamine, a neurotransmitter that drives the brain’s reward system. When something pleasurable is occurring, the brain releases dopamine as a signal that this is good.

Dopamine makes it easier to repeat the behavior and eventually turn it into a habit. However, this can occur in repeated experiences that have negative effects on our health.

What Does Rewiring Mean?

The brain is affected by drug use in a few ways. Most notably is the production of dopamine. Dopamine is a normal part of the brain’s function and helps us stay motivated.

As an addiction develops, the brain begins to rely on the substance to reach a baseline level of dopamine. The brain is now wired to receive the needed dopamine from the substance.

What Areas of the Brain Are Affected By Drug Use?

The three areas affected by drug use are:

Basal Ganglia
Extended Amygdala
Prefrontal Cortex

The basal ganglia is often called the “reward center” of the brain. It’s where positive and pleasurable habits are formed. Most drugs trigger the release of an abundance of dopamine. During frequent use, this area adapts and begins to produce less dopamine on its own.

After frequent use, the extended amygdala becomes more sensitive. This area of the brain is dedicated to feelings of stress and anxiety, therefore it plays a big role in withdrawal symptoms.

The prefrontal cortex is the area used to plan, think, make decisions, and control impulses. During frequent substance use, the prefrontal cortex becomes less prominent in the decision of whether or not to use.

How Long Does it Take For Addiction to Develop?

The time it takes for an addiction to develop can depend on many factors including:

Intensity of drug
Mental health
Age when use began
Family history
Personality traits

Because of these factors, it’s difficult to say how long it takes for a substance to become addictive. The developing stages of addiction can be difficult to notice. If you or a loved one feels early signs of addiction or struggles with addiction, reach out.

Factors that affect the time it takes to rewire the brain from addiction include the intensity of the drug, mental health, the age when use began, personality traits, and family history

Rewiring the Brain Back to Normalcy

Now that we understand how drugs affect the brain, we can begin to understand how to rewire the brain back to regular functions.

The typical process of rewiring the brain back to normal often involves a time of in-house recovery followed by an aftercare plan that helps continue sobriety.

Detoxify

This process is getting the substance out of your system, and unfortunately often involves withdrawal. It’s best done with medical professional help. The initial effects of detoxification can be intense and painful. However, It’s necessary to remove the substance from a person’s system. Detoxification will give your brain the space it needs to restructure itself back to normalized brain chemistry.

In some cases, the treatment facility will use medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It involves using a medication that alleviates some of the withdrawal symptoms.

image: a woman sitting criss cross applesauce on a dock on a mountain lake. Text: detoxification will give your brain the space it needs to restructure itself back to normalized brain chemistry

Continued Sobriety

The rewiring process takes time. That’s why maintaining sobriety after rehab is important. Returning to life after addiction treatment is hard but having planned continued treatment will increase your ability to recover.

Adopting good habits such as working out, journaling, mindfulness, and attending aftercare meetings can help. Overcoming addiction is not just removing the substance, but adding good behaviors that will support you in your journey.

How Long Does it Take to Rewire Your Brain From Addiction?

The time it takes to rewire the brain depends on the individual. Everyone has different experiences and some factors may change the time it takes.

Length of substance use
Age when substance use began
Type of substance
Other underlying health conditions

This area is still being studied and our understanding of it is ever-expanding. However, studies have shown It can take at least 14 months of sobriety before the brain can return to regular dopamine production.

Can the Effects of Addiction Ever Go Away?

Addiction recovery is possible. Substance abuse disorder is a defined chronic disease. Similar to other chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes, there isn’t a cure, but it can be managed.

Healing doesn’t stop after your stay in a residential treatment facility. Having a personalized treatment plan with support and aftercare is important.

That being said, the brain is resilient and recent studies have shown that damaged areas can be restored.

Image of an addiction group therapy session, looking downward at just the torsos and legs of the participants

Begin Recovery From Addiction Today

Overcoming any addiction is a difficult process. The way our brains work it sometimes seems like we’re working against ourselves. This makes it very difficult to recover from addiction alone.

If you want to rewire your brain and break the chains of addiction, the staff at Sequoia Behavioral Health is here to help. We personalize your treatment during your stay and after you leave the facility.

‍Contact us and get started on your journey to sobriety today.