I know that we get addiction (drugs, alcohol, video games etc) because our brain gives out dopamine when we participate in those behaviours an all. But, for example, I could like something (eg. painting) which would give out dopamine to my brain but still not be addicted to it. My question is then, what causes us from liking something to it turning into an addiction? Like I could like video games and still not be addicted to it. It still gives out dopamine but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be addicted to it. What are the necessary factors for turning something we like to becoming addicted to it? It is maybe, the amount of dopamine it gives, or is it how quickly we feel the dopamine?
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There is a bit of biology as well as psychology in the answer here.
The biological answer can come when the body becomes dependant on the dopamine or other chemicals released or introduced into the body. Adrenaline for example as another natural chemical or alcohol for an introduced chemical.
How an individual’s body reacts to said chemical, plays a role in becoming addicted. For example, an adrenaline “junkie” as it’s called, does not get the same rush from an activity either because the body has developed a resistance to the amount of adrenaline released or because the person no longer finds that particular activity “thrilling”. So in order to obtain a rush again, they have to increase the danger of their activity.
This is also a similar effect of taking narcotics and alcohol – a person has to consume more to generate the same feeling.
The second part of addiction can be psychological in that they become socially or professionally dependant on the activity or drug in question. They become “conditioned” to being addicted. For example an introverted person who struggles with social situations, may have a few drinks to help them relax before hanging out with friends. Eventually the brain begins to equate going out to drinking, and you will feel the pull to have a few drinks before going out. This is a conditioned response in your brain, not dependant (at least initially) on the chemical response but the social interaction.
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