Neuroplasticity and Mordern Addictions: The Brain’s Response to Alcohol

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s way of re-wiring itself due to repetitive actions. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s neurons forming new connections allowing us to learn new things, forget a painful memory or adapting to new areas. Alcohol is a carcinogenic drug known for its toxicity on the brain’s reward system. Alcohol increases the dopamine level in the brain and gives the drinker a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction telling the brain that the action is worth repeating. When taken repeatedly, the brain adapts to the high level of dopamine boost produced by alcohol and produces less dopamine on its own. This leads to a sense of dependence on alcohol as the producer of pleasure and satisfaction. The aim of this study serves to explore how alcohol affects the brain’s adaptive structures reward, decision-making, and emotional control. This study will also discuss the consequences of acute and chronic alcohol use and abuse in personal life, work relationships and the society at large.