"What if the very thing that brings you comfort is the same thing that slowly takes control of your life?"
Humans are biologically motivated to seek rewards through the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, to create feelings of pleasure and encourage us to repeat the activity as we saw in the Skinner's Box Experiment.
Our brain's reward system is designed to reinforce survival behaviors. These behaviors (eating, socializing, learning, hearing or playing music, and creative pursuits) produce small increases in dopamine. For example, when we experience something enjoyable—biting into a favorite food, hearing music, or seeing a loved one smile—dopamine reinforces these moments, making us crave them again.
Over time, the brain builds connections between that behavior and related “cues,” like sights, sounds, or feelings that remind us of the reward [1]. That is why walking past a bakery can make you crave something sweet—this is your brain linking past pleasure to present experience. These are natural rewards.
When pleasure becomes a trap:
Some substances, such as drugs and alcohol or a particular behavior, can cause a surge of dopamine, unlike natural rewards. This intense dopamine release can hijack the brain's reward system, leading to a strong desire to repeat the experience. [2]
The repeated use of these substances causes the brain to adapt these high levels of dopamine, becoming less sensitive to it.
According to psychologist Mark Griffiths, a predictable cycle is followed:
- Tolerance: Needing increasingly large amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect. [2]
- Dependency: The brain relies on the substance to function normally. [2]
- Withdrawal: Experiencing unpleasant symptoms when the substance is not present. [2]
- Loss of control: the person has a decreased ability to control impulses. [2]
- Addiction Cycle: You seek out these experiences because they reward you with good feelings, creating an unhealthy drive to seek more pleasure from the substance or activity and less from healthier activities. [3]
Hence, these substances or behaviors disrupt the normal function of the dopamine system, creating a cycle of craving, use, and dependence. [2]
This is called Addiction.
Addiction is often misunderstood as a problem of personal weakness or lack of willpower. But we now know it is a chronic condition rooted in neurological changes that have severe effects on physical and psychological health.
People typically engage in these activities to feel good and to escape discomfort — both physical and emotional.
Addiction can be caused by almost anything — a drug as well as a drug-free activity.
Substance Use Addiction
Substance use addictions are some of the most dangerous forms of addiction.
Common Addictive Substances:
- Alcohol, Caffeine, Cannabis (marijuana)
- Hallucinogens (PCP and LSD)
- Hypnotics, sedatives and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs)
- Prescription and non-prescription opioids (codeine, oxycodone and heroin)
- Stimulants (Adderall®, cocaine and methamphetamine)
- Tobacco and Nicotine
- Smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vaping). [3]
What truly happens in the brain?
Drugs are chemicals with a structure that closely resembles natural neurotransmitters. This allows the drugs to attach to and activate the neurons abnormally, producing feelings of pleasure [3].
The difference between natural rewards and drug rewards can be likened to the difference between someone whispering into your ear and someone shouting into a microphone. [2]
Over time, repeated drug use leads to long-lasting changes in the brain, such as:
- The extended amygdala produces stress responses varying from anxiety and irritability to life-threatening emergencies after the effects of the drug wear off.
- Drugs distort reality and make natural experiences feel dull in comparison.
- The brain forms strong associations between the drug and related "cues," making it challenging to resist triggers.
- The cycle deepens dependence, making quitting incredibly difficult.
Non-substance Use Addiction
Much like substance addiction, non-substance addiction or behavioral dependencies stem from the same neurological response—dopamine-driven reinforcement. They can occur with any activity stimulating your brain’s reward system. [3]
What behavior can lead to addiction?
Mobile Addiction and Smartphone AddictionIt includes mobile phones, smartphones, and personal devices.
The difference between mobile and smartphone addiction is that a smartphone has permanent access to the internet and the internet’s appealing and problematic content.
People check their smartphones for notifications, email messages, alerts, social media comments frequently. [4]
Social Media AddictionSocial media creates the illusion that exciting things are always happening. The fear of missing out (FOMO) keeps people scrolling for updates, trends, and social events—even when they should be focused elsewhere.
Algorithms are designed to keep people engaged through personalized content recommendations, making it easy to lose track of time, leading to hours of unintentional browsing.
People often turn to social media as a distraction from stress, loneliness, or negative emotions. However, excessive use can lead to social withdrawal, decreased productivity, and sleep issues.
A recent survey has revealed fascinating insights into social media addiction [click here].
Gaming AddictionVideo game addiction is characterized by excessive gaming that impacts work, education, and personal relationships.
Online and multiplayer games are especially addictive because they offer social validation, competition, and achievement rewards.
Many games use psychological techniques (such as loot boxes and level-ups) to keep players engaged, leading to overuse, neglect of responsibilities, and withdrawal symptoms when not gaming.
Gambling AddictionIt is an urge to bet despite financial or emotional harm.
Most people start gambling casually—whether it’s through casino games, sports betting, lottery tickets, or online gaming.
How has it become an addiction?
- Winning triggers a dopamine surge, reinforcing the pleasurable feeling.
- Many gamblers think they can "figure out the system" or "beat the odds", making them chase losses in the hope of eventually winning.
- Even losing can be thrilling due to the anticipation of a potential win.
- Also, the near misses (almost winning) trick the brain into thinking a win is close.
Over time, a person gambles more frequently or with higher stakes to feel the same thrill. They may gamble to escape stress, depression, or financial troubles, creating a dangerous cycle.
When a person tries to stop gambling, they may experience withdrawal-like symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, or anxiety. Chasing losses also keeps gamblers hooked, thinking they can recover money.
According to the internet filter review report of 2010, there are 4.2 million websites offering porn content to the world. 68 million daily search engine requests are made, and 72 million worldwide users visit adult sites monthly. 42.7 percent of total users who use the internet watch pornographic material.
Sex and pornography addiction involves compulsive engagement in sexual activities or explicit content despite negative consequences.
It often leads to disruptions in personal relationships, unrealistic expectations, and emotional distress. Over time, the individual may struggle with impulse control, seeking more extreme stimulation to achieve satisfaction.
Brain-imaging technologies have revealed that our brains respond similarly to different pleasurable experiences, whether derived from ingesting psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and other drugs, or engaging in behaviors, such as gambling, shopping, and sex. [6]
Someone with an addiction won’t stop their behavior, even if they recognize the problems the addiction is causing [5]. But people can and do recover from addiction, often on their own. If not on their own, people can recover with the help of their social network or a treatment provider. [6]
Also, it's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work [1]. Hence, it is important to remember that the process of overcoming an addiction often requires many attempts. [6]
- The earlier a person with addiction receives treatment, the better. Suggest calling a helpline, talking to a healthcare provider or mental health professional, entering a treatment program or going to a 12-step program.
- Offer your help and support without being judgmental.
- Even when you don’t agree with your loved one, listen thoughtfully to them.
- The more your loved one feels heard, the more they’ll see you as someone they can trust.
With awareness, support, and the correct intervention, individuals can reclaim control and rediscover the joy in everyday moments.
Are there other things we do daily, seemingly harmless or even comforting, that could slowly grow into addictions over time? Let me know in the comments.
Resources:
[1] Why are Drugs so Hard to Quit? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
[2] Dopamine, behavior, and addiction | Journal of Biomedical Science | Full Text
[3] Addiction: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment
[5] What Is Addiction? Definition, Signs, Treatment, and More
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