Motivation and the Brain

Motivation and the Brain

Scientists and psychologists alike have been exploring the relationship between addiction and the brain for decades. The motivations behind the core root causes of addiction and how it affects the brain have been speculated over and theorized about. Refraining from drugs can be very difficult for a person to do when they are an addict. Drugs have a way of taking over a person’s life and destroying all of their relationships around them. People start using drugs for different reasons. Some people start using drugs for fun, some use to mask the feelings they are feeling, and some use for pain. This paper is going to discuss the brain structure and functions, the impact of intrinsic factors, and the extrinsic factors, which will include hereditary and the environment. Brain Structure and Functions
The brain is the most delicate organ of the body. Drugs release dopamine to the brain. “Dopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter formed in the brain from the amino acid tyrosine. Dopamine is essential for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system; it has effects on emotion, perception and movement.”(Purse, 2009) This gives a person a feeling of pleasure. The brain makes less dopamine when people continue to use drugs. With this, when people stop using drugs the dopamine is low and your brain has a hard time with pleasure. The ways that drugs motivate the brain are two-fold, chemical and psychological. There are some drugs, such as opiates for example, that cause a chemical, physical addiction within the brain. The drugs cause the body to become physically dependent upon them, requiring the user to consume more and more to satisfy the sick feeling that occurs. Other drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine are more of a psychological addiction, not causing any withdraws upon the user's cessation of abuse. One of the most studied aspects of the disease of addiction is how the drugs affect motivation. Thinking processes, and socialization. Many advances have been made in the study of the disease of addiction with regards to the physical aspect of it. For example, there are now devices that can scan produce images of the brain and it specific functions, such as MRIs, or magnetic resonance imaging and PETs, or position emission tomography. “Recognizing addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use can impact society's overall health and social policy strategies and help diminish the health and social costs associated with drug abuse and addiction.” (atforum,2011)
Impact of Intrinsic Factors
The impact of intrinsic factors is very significant to refraining from using drugs. Many theories have been offered on the subjects of addiction, prevention, and relapse. They often are in opposition to each other because one side believes that intrinsic factors are the root cause of the problem and that is where therapy and treatment should occur. The other side believes that extrinsic factors are responsible for addiction and feel that is the level on which it needs to address. But those in the drug treatment centers, 12 step groups, and addiction professionals have figured out that both intrinsic and extrinsic issues must be addressed. While many drugs are physically addictive, it is the psychological addiction of self-gratification that often drives the individual to continue using drugs. Many professionals who have studied and work in the substance abuse field believe that the true basis of drug addiction is intrinsically motivated and is what drives addictive personalities and behaviors. "There are many cultural factors and environmental or social influences which are closely related to addictive behaviors, yet when given the same social, economic, and environmental factors, one person becomes an addict, while others who are equally influenced become abstainers, or more commonly, will experiment with drugs but never have substance abuse problems or become addicts.” (Deans, 1997 )
Substance abuse is powered intrinsically by motivations and emotions. An individual’s psychological nature has a lot to do with their ability to refrain from using drugs. The degree of intrinsic motivation in a person can often be a prediction of how ready they are to seek treatment or to refrain from using drugs. Low levels of intrinsic motivation in a person often will not produce effective results in regards to being motivated enough to follow a treatment plan, attend meetings, or follow up with counselors or doctors. It is clear that intrinsic motivations need to be addressed in order for an addict to refrain from using drugs.
Impact of Extrinsic Factors
The impact of extrinsic factors is also very significant in refraining from using drugs.
Some extrinsic factors that motivate an individual to stop using drugs are family, friends, and threat of punishment, consequences, or court systems. Interventions, loss of employment, financial stress, and domestic abuse or violence, and relationship issues are all extrinsic motivators that affect the individual. These things can help or hurt them in their attempt to quit. These things all come from outside of the individual. Hereditary and environmental factors also play a part and cannot be ignored. Scientists, society, and addicts alike are beginning to be more accepting of the theory that states that addiction is a physical disease and must be treated as such. Identifying factors such as family history of abuse, mental disorders, and genetic predispositions will aid professionals in helping addicts to refrain from using.
Conclusion
It is evident to see that there are intrinsic and extrinsic motivators that affect the level of readiness to seek treatment. These factors can also impact how effective that treatment will be. By studying the brain and its functions and identifying those factors that affect an individual on a case-by-case basis is the only way to successfully help the individual to refrain from using drugs. This field of study has been a topic of debate for a very long time and scientists, counselors, and addicts themselves are not likely to agree on a set-method of treatment. To refrain from using drugs, an individual can go to a treatment center, take medicines to prevent cravings, go to 12-step meetings, and other things that externally motivate the individual. Some people may require a complete change of their lifestyle, or as they say in Narcotics Anonymous, “Change your playgrounds, playmates, and playthings.” Working with addicts to refrain from using drugs is a task that must be comprehensive in nature, including the internal and external factors that affect the user.

References
Deans, D.A. (1997) Drug Addiction. )(http://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/students/drugs.htm.)
Deckers, L. (2010). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Baco
Getting into the Brain. (2009). CNS Drugs, 23(1), 35-58. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.)
Leshner, A. Addiction Is a Brain Disease, and It Matters Science 3 October 1997: 278 (5335), -47. [DOI:10.1126/science.278.5335.45]
Purse, M. (2009). Health's disease and condition. Retrieved from http://about.com
www.atforum.com