Rewiring Your Brain from Addiction: How Long Does It Takes
Addiction affects the brain, which rewires its natural pathways and influences a person's ability to make decisions, behave, and feel. However, this is not irreparable; support can help heal the brain. Recovery is all about rewiring the brain where new, healthier neural connections take the place of the old addicted ones.
However, how long does it take to rewire your brain from addiction? That will depend on so many things - the abused substance, duration of addiction, and the health condition of an individual. Here in this blog, we're exploring the whole process of recovery with the brain, how long that takes, and what brings about change. At Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, we assist you step by step on the road to rewire your brain and get your life back on track.
How Addiction Changes the Brain?
Fundamentally, it changes the functioning of the brain. It hijacks the brain's reward system, primarily dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure. Substances such as drugs and alcohol "flood the brain with dopamine, creating a false 'high'". After some time, the brain needs these substances to enjoy the activities as they are usually less rewarding.
It alters the neural pathways in the brain due to the repeated stimulation caused by addiction. Eventually, cognitive functions, decision-making abilities, and emotional regulation are impaired due to addiction. If left unchecked, these alterations can have severe long-term consequences on mental health and well-being.
Related Learning: What are Amends?
How long does it take to rewire your brain from addiction?
How long to rewire the brain from addiction varies according to the degree of addiction and personal health history. Studies have shown that a few weeks after consistent abstinence, the brain can start to heal, although the complete healing process usually takes months or years (source).
The process is generally divided into stages:
- Detox (1-2 weeks): During detox, the brain starts to become accustomed to the lack of addictive substances, even though withdrawal symptoms can be very intense.
- Short-term rewiring (2-3 months): Damaged neural pathways that are due to addiction begin to repair, but among the victim, cravings and psychological dependency may linger on.
- Long-term rewiring (6 months to 2 years): The brain continues rebuilding good neural connections, leading to better impulse control and emotional stability.
Although the duration of healing differs, how long to reset the brain largely depends on the person's commitment towards treatment and therapy.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes the Brain to Rewire After Addiction
The duration of time to fully rewire the brain will depend on various key factors: the type of substance abused (source), and duration of addiction.
- Type of Substance Abused: Different substances - for example, opioids, alcohol, or stimulants-will affect the brain differently and cause more severe long-term damage in some instances.
- Genetic predisposition: The process of rewiring may be slow or faster for some individuals depending on the genetic factors.
- Mental Health: Comorbid mental illnesses, for instance, depression and anxiety, would slow the rewiring process.
- Support system and treatment: Therapy quality will significantly determine how soon the brain can heal; hence, in Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre.
These factors give realistic expectations towards recovery.
How long does it take for the brain to heal from addiction?
Healing the brain depends on how consistent the sobriety is, how frequently therapy is carried out, and lifestyle changes. How long does the brain takes to heal would vary, but it has been shown through research that significant improvements in the structure and functioning of the brain occur after 90 days of abstinence.
The only solution for long-term, sustained abstinence is coupled with a wholesome rehabilitation program which helps to rectify the damage caused to brain balance.
How to Rewire Your Brain in Recovery
Abstinence isn't the journey. It is very much an activity on how to rewire your brain from addiction. Here's where you begin;
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy aims at assisting a patient in recognising unwanted negative thought patterns and changing such patterns by coming up with positive, healthier alternatives.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: These two tend to decrease tension and foster neuroplasticity, so your brain begins building new healthier connections.
- Continuous Counseling: Regular counselling sessions ensure constant support, giving the patient ways to resist cravings and stress.
- At Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, we combine these techniques into our holistic long-term recovery.
Tips for Rewiring Your Brain
Here are some practical steps to help facilitate how to rewire the brain in recovery:
- New Habits: Structure or routine helps rewire the brain into new and non-addicted patterns.
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Regular meetings with a psychotherapist allow the brain time to challenge dysfunctional thought patterns
- Meditation and Mindfulness: These stress-reducing activities can strengthen brain plasticity.
- Stay physically active: Exercise is good for brain function and can keep a brain healthy.
- Strong support network: Surround yourself with positive influences, which could be family, or friends, or join one of the numerous support groups available.
All of these help support your journey to recovery.
Why Jagruti Rehab is Your Best Choice for Overcoming Addiction?
- Personalised Care: Our treatment options are tailored according to specific individual needs, which offers the best chance for recovery from addiction.
- Experienced Professionals: This team consists of skilful experts who are able to help in the process of brain rewiring.
- Holistic Healing: We help clients in a detailed process involving mental, emotional and physical healing.
- Relapse Prevention: Our strategies ensure are prepared to maintain long-term sobriety.
- Post-Rehabilitation Support: We continue to offer support even after you have completed your rehabilitation journey.
- Safe Environment: Our serene, safe environment is designed to foster healing and recovery.
Frequently asked questions
The time varies for each person and the type of substance they have abused, but on average, it will take several months to years. However, it depends on consistency in therapy, abstinence, and healthy lifestyle changes.
The time taken to reset the brain is contingent upon the drug or substance used and the duration for which the person uses it. In many cases, partial resetting of the brain happens a few weeks after the end, while full cognitive recovery may take a few months or more, especially for long-term drug abuse.
Some of the best ways to rewire the brain out of addiction are cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness practice, meditation, exercise, and a healthy diet. Therapy and a robust support network help create new pathways in the brain.
The time for the brain to heal from addiction varies with several factors, including the type of substance, duration of addiction, and individual health. While there is improvement within weeks of abstinence, the full healing might take months or even years in cases of long-term substance abuse.
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Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading facility specializing in mental health, dementia, and addiction recovery. The team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery.
