Addiction re-wires the brain.

From the moment we’re born, our nervous systems give us feedback about our world and our actions.  When we feel something good – or necessary for survival – we get a signal that says, “MORE, PLEASE.” 

This reward pathway is mostly an unconscious system of the brain. Like heart rate, body temperature, and breathing, we have some influence over it, but it mostly works without conscious thought. This deep wiring has a huge influence over our decision-making but is really not under voluntary control – even in people without addiction. Try it now: can you stop yourself from thinking about ice cream? Addiction is when this reward pathway in the brain gets re-wired.