In the past century, most scientists believed that prompting the pleasure point of the brain-the nucleus accumbens is enough to cause addiction. Recent research shows that Dopamine contributes to the learning experience of the brain. It plays a significant role in memory and learning systems.
Dopamine works in conjunction with glutamate, a neurotransmitter. The system plays a critical role in the enhancement and survival of human beings. It sustains activities that give a man pleasure and reward such as sex and eating.
The reward circuit functions normally until the addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol are introduced. They overstimulate the pleasure system and confuse it such that a person forgets about other life-sustaining activities such as working, eating, showering, and work-life balance among others.
The paths towards recovery aim at making the brain unlearn or get off the addictive substances. It tries to subdue the reaction of the pleasure point towards alcohol and drugs.