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Wondering whether dopamine production in your body is causing any type of addiction? Well, it can be possible. You need to read further to identify whether you are getting affected by dopamine or not.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in our brains that makes us feel good and happy. So, when we do certain things, our brain releases dopamine and boom, we get that pleasurable sensation. And here’s the cool part: our brain connects that behavior with pleasure, so we feel motivated to do it again.
It’s like our brain has this built-in reward system going on. And this process is also known as the “rewards system.” But it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. While it evolved to help us survive, this system also leads to addiction and abuse related to different things. Hence, dopamine plays a complex role in addiction.
In general, anything that you do that makes you feel excited and good can trigger dopamine production in your brain. Some of these ways are excellent ways to increase the level of dopamine in your body, while many of them might be harmful to you. Here are some examples of activities that produce dopamine.
Let’s delve into the potential risks associated with dopamine and how certain behaviors can lead to problematic outcomes.
Sex addiction is one example of how dependency on the pleasurable effects of dopamine can become problematic. Seeking out sexual experiences to achieve that feel-good sensation may result in engaging in unsafe practices, such as unprotected sex or having encounters with unfamiliar and potentially dangerous individuals. It can also lead to neglecting important life responsibilities due to the preoccupation with pursuing sexual gratification.
Another behavior influenced by the pursuit of dopamine is eating. While eating is necessary for survival, the desire for pleasurable tastes can sometimes escalate into food addiction. In this case, your relationship with food primarily revolves around seeking more pleasure rather than fulfilling basic nutritional needs. The person addicted to food may start eating excessively just to get that dopamine hit which could lead to various mild to chronic health issues.
Alcohol and recreational drugs offer a more direct route to dopamine release. Substances like cocaine can flood our brains with dopamine, triggering intense pleasure. However, this quest for dopamine can lead to alcohol and substance use disorders, which pose severe threats to individuals suffering from addiction and their close relationships.
Beyond these specific examples, various dopamine-oriented activities can result in significant problems and risky behaviors. These can range from life-altering situations like losing one’s savings due to gambling to dealing with temporary issues or overexerting your body during exercise that can lead to minor injuries from excessive strain on the body.
Understanding addiction requires recognizing it as a brain disorder with no single, straightforward cause. While dopamine does play a role in addiction, it is just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Experts emphasize that a variety of biological and environmental factors can significantly heighten an individual’s vulnerability to addiction. Let’s explore some of these factors:
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, genetic factors account for approximately 40 to 60 percent of addiction risk.
A history of specific medical conditions, particularly mental health disorders, can increase susceptibility to addiction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using drugs during adolescence raises the risk of developing addiction later in life.
These factors more affect children and teenagers relatively than adults or seniors.
Living with or near individuals who misuse drugs or alcohol or involve in wrong activities can elevate the risk of addiction.
Having friends who use drugs and alcohol can heighten the likelihood of experimentation and the potential development of addiction.
Difficulties in social or academic aspects of school life can increase the risk of drug experimentation and subsequent addiction.
It’s important to note that these factors are just some examples among many that contribute to addiction. It is crucial to understand that their presence does not guarantee the development of addiction.
Consider taking a 30-day break from the source of pleasure you heavily rely on, whether it’s social media, sugar, video games, sex, marijuana, alcohol, or any other addictive behavior. It’s important to note that this break is not a permanent commitment but a crucial period to restore your balance between pleasure and pain. Initially, completely cutting out the addictive behavior is often easier, allowing you to reintroduce it gradually and in moderation later on.
This technique may make you feel heightened discomfort before experiencing improvements, but it’s important to persevere. After approximately two weeks, the pleasure-pain equilibrium in your brain will gradually return to its natural state, enabling you to find satisfaction in more moderate rewards. For example, you may be able to enjoy a single scoop of ice cream or limit yourself to watching just one episode of a TV show.
However, it’s crucial to note that this approach should not be applied to highly addictive substances like drugs and alcohol. Abruptly stopping their use can result in severe withdrawal symptoms that may pose life-threatening risks. If you are dealing with addiction to drugs or alcohol, seeking professional care and treatment for addiction for withdrawal and recovery is imperative.
To establish boundaries and regain control over addictive behaviors, you can use three effective approaches. These strategies enable you to maintain some level of engagement with the addictive behavior while preventing it from overpowering your life.
It involves creating a tangible separation between yourself and the addiction. For instance, if you are addicted to a substance, removing it from your home and immediate surroundings can be a significant step. For instance, in the case of video game addiction, having separate devices designated for work and leisure can be an effective measure.
This approach involves setting specific time limits or periods of abstinence from addictive behaviors. For example, participating in a 30-day fast from addictive behavior establishes a chronological boundary. Similarly, intermittent fasting can be applied to control food addiction, and implementing time limits on social media usage can effectively manage addiction to online platforms.
Categorical binding entails placing restrictions on specific types of addictive substances or behaviors. For instance, if reality TV proves to be an irresistible temptation, but you can enjoy sitcoms in moderation, cutting out reality TV entirely is an example of categorical binding. It involves identifying the categories of addictive stimuli that are most problematic for you and abstaining from them completely.
By implementing these strategies, you can establish boundaries and regain a sense of balance in your relationship with addictive behaviors, allowing you to enjoy a modified version of the behavior without it overwhelming your life.
If you can control your dopamine addiction, then it’s great. But most of the severe addiction that leads to drug and alcohol abuse is not easy to control all by yourself. In that case, you need professional help. At OC Revive, we help you find the root cause of your addiction and overcome it with effective methods. So, don’t wait and contact us today to improve your life at (844) 954 3890
I began my journey to recovery back in 2011 when i moved to California from New York.Along with my recovery and beginning a new way of life, I began to develop a heart for others struggling with sobriety.My journey to California was filled with many trials and lessons learned, but most of all, personal growth. I truly believe I would not have found success if I didn’t come to California.
I first opened an adult treatment center, California Prime Recovery(CPR) as a way to work with those struggling on a daily basis. Over the last 3 years, CPR has evolved into someting much more impactful and beautiful than i could’ve ever imagined. I have come to realize that my own happiness and growth depends on being involved in the lives of others in recovery. Helping people through recovery is a cornerstone of many 12 step programs, and it has become the most important aspect of personal life. Giving back to those still suffering is the only way not to lose what you have gained.
Throughout this journey, and by mentoring many adolescents, I realized i wanted to offer more to teens who were struggling just as i was. This is when i decided to start OC Revive. I had built many wonderful relationships throughout my professional journey and found two others who shared the same vision, and passion that i had for the youth. It didn’t take long for myself, Tyler Michaelis, and Derek Walsh to turn our dream into a reality. We are committed to providing the best possible treatment for adolescents and truly believe “their future is our collective responsibility”.
As Co-Founder & COO of OC Revive, Derek has a wealth of personal and professional experience dealing with the issues faced by today’s troubled teen. Throughout High School and College, Derek struggled with peer pressure, learning challenges, and substance abuse. Working with the support of family and friends, Derek set out to conquer those obstacles and find a richer, more fulfilling life.
On 15 October 2012, Derek overcame his own substance abuse problem and dedicated himself to help others work through their own addiction. A year later, Derek began a new journey and started his career in the recovery industry. Throughout his career, Derek has worked his way through numerous roles at top-rated treatment centers. While working at those treatment centers, Derek began to see a pattern that those struggling individuals would’ve benefited immensely from receiving earlier in life.
Derek decided that he wanted to be a part of the solution, and find a way to address those issues at an earlier age. He concluded that there needed to be interventions before adulthood, and he didn’t want to see anyone going through the same cycle that he did. That was when he and Tyler Michaelis decided to start OC Revive, to make sure teens get the help they need to find a purpose that leads them to a life of happiness and success.
Derek attended college at Orange Coast College and Santa Barbara City College.
Brittany joins the OCR team with over 15 years of experience in the Mental Health adn Substance Abuse field. Brittany has been licensed for almost 8 years and has worked in various settings throughout her career, including inpatient psychiatric treatment, outpatient, residential treatment center, PHP and IOP settings. Brittany has been supervising Associate Marrige and Family Therapists and Associate Social Workers for almost 6 years and works in compiance and auditing to ensure that treatment centers are up to par with biling regulations. Brittany has worked with young adults and adolescents for most of her career.
Brittany earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at California Baptist International University. Brittany enjoys working with adolescents and young adults and believes that ever single person has the ability to set goals and meet them, even when they can’t see it themselves. Brittany loves spending time with her family, traveling, good coffee, and being outdoors.
Patrick is amental health and addiction professional that has a passion for recovery and helping others. He was inspired and encouraged by his mentors to work with individuals and families that have been affected by mental health issues, alcohol and drug addiction. He ahs been working in the field of addiction recovery for 19+ years and is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals. Patrick is also certified in Adult and Adolescent Anger Management. His Career in addiction treatment began in 2001 at the Betty Ford Center i Rancho Mirage CA. as an Addiction Specialist working on the inpatient campus and is the co-creator of Betty Ford Center’s “Young Adult Track” specializing in work with 18-25 year old Patients. he also excelled in working with addicted and impaired professionals in the “Replase and Recovery Program”.
Patrick transitioned to Orange County in 2011 where he accepted a position as the Program Director for Orange County Recovery Services. Patrick is a gifted lecturer, group facilitator and counselor with a pssion for reocery that has been an active recovery member for over 25 years.
Anthony is an Orange County local and has been a great addition to the Oc Revive team. Since 2015, Anthony has been working in the substance abuse field and has also pursued his drug and alcohol counseling license. Since being with Revive Anthony has established a relationship within the School Districts and serves as a voluntary speaker for substance abuse awareness in the community. By sharing his personal testimony, he has excelled in gaining trust and building rapport with others. He always seems to have a smile on his face and brings a positive vibe wherever he goes. With that being said, Anthony is very passionate about the work that he does and goes above and beyond to provide our struggling youth the care that they so desperately need.
Tyler is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to teens and their families. Once a teenager that struggled with addiction, mental health, and poor choices, Tyler is aware of the growing demand and need for early intervention in adolescents and young adults. Growing up in Orange County, he battled addiction and peer pressure all throughout high school and during his time at Saddleback College. During those troubled years, Tyler’s parents and family were emotionally drained and heavily impacted by his addiction. Unfortunately, they did not know where to turn for help nor did they have the courage to set boundaries with him.After 7 painful years, they finally forced Tyler out of the house and into treatment at the age of 23.
April 5th, 2010 is a date that Tyler and his family hold dear. On that date, Tyler enrolled in a 4-month treatment program which laid the foundation for his recovery. With the help of treatment professionals, supportive friends and family, Tyler was able to build a better version of himself. This started with slowly building his self-esteem, and growing a community of peers to support him throughout recovery.
In 2011,with the desire to help others struggling with addiction, he decided to start working in the addiction field. Tyler obtained his CADAC || Counselor certification and graduated from Cal Sate University of Long Beach with a degree in Health Care Administration. Since then, Tyler has worked all areas of treatment starting as a detox technician and working his way up to Program Director. Today, Tyler feels blessed and grateful for getting a second chanse at life. He has a great relationship with his family, is happily married and has a great group of friends. Once a lost teen, Tyler now has purpose and passion. He’s dedicated his life’s work to helping teens and their families. As the Founder, Tyler Michaelis is confident that OC Revive will renew the lives of struggling teens while bringing back hope to their families
Tyler is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to teens and their families. Once a teenager that struggled with addiction, mental health, and poor choices, Tyler is aware of the growing demand and need for early intervention in adolescents and young adults. Growing up in Orange County, he battled addiction and peer pressure all throughout high school and during his time at Saddleback College. During those troubled years, Tyler’s parents and family were emotionally drained and heavily impacted by his addiction. Unfortunately, they did not know where to turn for help nor did they have the courage to set boundaries with him.After 7 painful years, they finally forced Tyler out of the house and into treatment at the age of 23.
April 5th, 2010 is a date that Tyler and his family hold dear. On that date, Tyler enrolled in a 4-month treatment program which laid the foundation for his recovery. With the help of treatment professionals, supportive friends and family, Tyler was able to build a better version of himself. This started with slowly building his self-esteem, and growing a community of peers to support him throughout recovery.
In 2011,with the desire to help others struggling with addiction, he decided to start working in the addiction field. Tyler obtained his CADAC || Counselor certification and graduated from Cal Sate University of Long Beach with a degree in Health Care Administration. Since then, Tyler has worked all areas of treatment starting as a detox technician and working his way up to Program Director. Today, Tyler feels blessed and grateful for getting a second chanse at life. He has a great relationship with his family, is happily married and has a great group of friends. Once a lost teen, Tyler now has purpose and passion. He’s dedicated his life’s work to helping teens and their families. As the Founder, Tyler Michaelis is confident that OC Revive will renew the lives of struggling teens while bringing back hope to their families
