The Craving Brain

Addiction

Addiction: 'All I Do Is Think of You'

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on October 20, 2021

To cope with the increasing levels of dopamine produced by alcohol and other drugs, the brain undergoes molecular and cellular changes to produce less of its own.

To cope with the increasing levels of dopamine produced by alcohol and other drugs, the brain undergoes molecular and cellular changes to produce less of its own.

Addiction

Prescription Pills: A Possible Fast Track for Addiction

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on September 16, 2021

As she increased her dose, she found people liked her better; she was more relaxed at work and less irritable at home.

As she increased her dose, she found people liked her better; she was more relaxed at work and less irritable at home.

Addiction

Addiction: A Question of Time

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on August 17, 2021

The moment when substance abuse ends and addiction begins can be impossible to determine.

The moment when substance abuse ends and addiction begins can be impossible to determine.

Addiction

A First Encounter With Hard Drugs

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on July 2, 2021

Step by step, casual drinking became heavy and adding drugs to the equation went from occasional to absolute.

Step by step, casual drinking became heavy and adding drugs to the equation went from occasional to absolute.

Addiction

Addiction: An Equal Opportunity Disaster

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on May 27, 2021

Uncontrollable craving is an equal-opportunity disaster with little regard for gender, race, class, or personality.

Uncontrollable craving is an equal-opportunity disaster with little regard for gender, race, class, or personality.

Addiction

Like Father, Like Son

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on April 20, 2021

“If you stay on this road, you’ll lose your better self and become the very thing you fear.”

“If you stay on this road, you’ll lose your better self and become the very thing you fear.”

Alcoholism

Heavy Drinking: A Trap at Any Age

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on March 18, 2021

Since high levels of alcohol and other drugs can compromise the moral function of the brain, intoxication has played a key role in some of the most devastating events of history.

Since high levels of alcohol and other drugs can compromise the moral function of the brain, intoxication has played a key role in some of the most devastating events of history.

Addiction

The Downhill Slide of Addiction

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on February 17, 2021

Losing another job due to his addiction, a man drowns in shame and embarrassment and panics over how to survive.

Losing another job due to his addiction, a man drowns in shame and embarrassment and panics over how to survive.

Memory

Double Jeopardy

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on January 21, 2021

The addicted brain is like an out-of-control driver putting the pedal to the floor—in a car without brakes.

The addicted brain is like an out-of-control driver putting the pedal to the floor—in a car without brakes.

Alcoholism

Circling the Drain

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on December 22, 2020

"I couldn’t grasp the cause-and-effect relationship between my drug use and the decline of my cognitive powers."

"I couldn’t grasp the cause-and-effect relationship between my drug use and the decline of my cognitive powers."

Addiction

Addiction: 5 Early Warning Signs

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on November 12, 2020

An addicted person's behavior is unpredictable and can quickly change from jubilant euphoria to angry suspicion.

An addicted person's behavior is unpredictable and can quickly change from jubilant euphoria to angry suspicion.

Addiction

Hiding in Plain Sight

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on October 8, 2020

Mental illness can be both a cause and a consequence of addiction.

Mental illness can be both a cause and a consequence of addiction.

Addiction

Falling Into the Abyss of Addiction

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on September 10, 2020

I had been a gifted student and athlete, surrounded by friends whose dreams were as high as my own. Now I was completely alone, with nothing left but the wreckage of my life.

I had been a gifted student and athlete, surrounded by friends whose dreams were as high as my own. Now I was completely alone, with nothing left but the wreckage of my life.

Alcoholism

The Price the Brain Pays: Adolescents and Drinking

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on August 13, 2020

At the time, I was confident she hadn’t sustained any long-term damage to her vital organs. Today, I wonder if she didn’t damage her most vital one.

At the time, I was confident she hadn’t sustained any long-term damage to her vital organs. Today, I wonder if she didn’t damage her most vital one.

Friends

Like High School All Over Again, But Better

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on July 14, 2020

“I was going 100 miles an hour toward a nightmare, and all the while it seemed like a carnival.”

“I was going 100 miles an hour toward a nightmare, and all the while it seemed like a carnival.”

Alcoholism

Marketing Madness

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on March 6, 2020

The compelling messages from alcohol companies can appeal to adolescent yearnings to appear attractive, cool, and confident.

The compelling messages from alcohol companies can appeal to adolescent yearnings to appear attractive, cool, and confident.

Spirituality

Fitting In

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on February 6, 2020

“The community that had been my spiritual safe haven had lost its innocence, and so had I.”

“The community that had been my spiritual safe haven had lost its innocence, and so had I.”

Addiction

Five Myths of Addiction

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on December 17, 2019

Throwing a life preserver to an addicted person is like hospitalizing someone threatening suicide. It is an effort to restore freedom and dignity, not take it away.

Throwing a life preserver to an addicted person is like hospitalizing someone threatening suicide. It is an effort to restore freedom and dignity, not take it away.

Alcoholism

An Avalanche of Problems

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on November 21, 2019

"I couldn’t let anything—not even overwhelming feelings or a wrecked life—throw my recovery off course."

"I couldn’t let anything—not even overwhelming feelings or a wrecked life—throw my recovery off course."

Dreaming

Gone Man

Anderson Spickard Jr., M.D. on October 16, 2019

Was it possible I had broken my loved ones' hearts and crushed their dreams? Just the thought felt like a kick in the gut, and a layer of my denial was peeled away.

Was it possible I had broken my loved ones' hearts and crushed their dreams? Just the thought felt like a kick in the gut, and a layer of my denial was peeled away.