Neuroplasticity and Addictive Process
- Apr 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Jennifer Martin Rieck is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the owner of Epijennetics Counseling & Consulting in Libertyville, Illinois. She is also the owner of and writer for epijennetics.com, a website that explores the mental shifts that lead to healthy expression of self and healthy connection to others.
Have you ever found yourself repeating the same unwanted behavior, even after committing to stop? Have you tried to stop a behavior, only to find yourself doing it more often than ever? Neuroscience has taught us so much over the past decade. In the past, we believed that the brain developed throughout childhood and young adulthood, then stopped changing and remained static. We now understand that the brain is constantly growing and adapting and, at the same time, continuously pruning itself. Neuroscience has shown that the brain actively removes unused neural pathways while simultaneously forming new ones. This discovery supports the widely accepted view that abstinence is the most effective way to overcome addiction. This is because once a neural pathway is established and repeatedly used, it becomes difficult to resist activating it.
Consider, for a moment, a race where runners are lined up, anxiously awaiting the starting gunshot. The moment that shot is fired, their bodies instinctively respond, launching into motion until the race is complete. Addiction functions in much the same way. Whether it involves alcohol, drugs, or even food, once the initial action occurs, the neurological pathways are triggered, setting the cycle into motion. This highlights why avoiding the first drink, drug, or other addictive behavior is crucial. By doing so, you disrupt the reinforcement of the neural pathway, preventing its growth.
CBT and addiction treatment
This understanding also explains why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective in treating addiction. CBT focuses on reshaping thought patterns and behaviors by forging new neural pathways. Rather than solely attempting to avoid the substance or behavior, CBT helps individuals identify the thoughts that trigger emotions, which then lead to addictive actions. By addressing and restructuring these thoughts, individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms while weakening the pathways that reinforce addiction. By learning to tackle and address the thoughts and feelings that cause one to cope with addictive behaviors, new pathways leading to healthier coping skills are formed, and the previous ones that lead to binging are averted.
If you struggle with addiction and seek freedom, shift your focus from the finish line to the starting point. The next time you feel compelled to engage in an addictive behavior, take a step back and examine what led to that impulse.
Steps to avert addictive behavior by identifying triggers
Be mindful of your body
What physical sensations are you experiencing?
Do you feel anxious (tightness in the chest, rapid breathing, sweating, clamminess)?
Do you feel nervous (butterflies in the stomach, fear, restlessness)?
Do you feel stressed (clenched jaw, tense shoulders, physical discomfort)?
Examine your emotions
Do you feel sad, tearful, or depressed?
Are you experiencing loneliness or a need for support?
Do you feel angry or defensive?
Identify the thought or belief that triggered these feelings
What belief about yourself or others might have led to these emotions?
Once you pinpoint the thought, you know where to start your work.
Challenge and/or block the thought
Is it based on fact or assumption?
Is it a self-defeating inner critic?
Use visualization to counter the thought: imagine batting it away like a baseball, flicking it off like a bug, or locking it in a box and disposing of it.
If you find it difficult to untangle your thoughts and emotions on your own, therapy may be beneficial. A trained professional can offer valuable insights and tools to navigate these struggles, leading you toward healing and self-discovery.
Ultimately, your mind is your own. While you cannot control every passing thought, you have the power to decide whether the race begins.
Visit my website here for more tips and tricks for improving your mental health and well-being!
Read more from Jennifer Martin Rieck
Jennifer Martin Rieck, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Jennifer Martin Rieck is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the owner of Epijennetics Counseling & Consulting and epijennetics.com, a website that explores healthy self-expression and healthy connection to others. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle to break free from Narcissistic or Self-Sacrificing relationship patterns.
