HOUGHTON — Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD) has, after decades of study been determined to be a neurological disorder. The brain signals pleasure through the release of a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) called dopamine into the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s pleasure center.

“This is generally a good thing; it ensures that people will seek out things needed for survival,” states the Recovery Research Institute. “But drugs of misuse, such as nicotine, alcohol, and heroin, also cause the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, and in some cases these drugs cause much more dopamine release than natural, non-drug rewards.”

Over time, drugs become less rewarding, and craving for the drug takes over, the institute website explains. The brain adapts to the effects of the drug (an effect known as tolerance), and because of these brain adaptations, dopamine has less impact. People who develop an addiction find that the drug no longer gives them as much pleasure as it did before, and that they have to take greater amounts of the drug more frequently to feel high.

There is much stigma attached to both addiction and mental illness. In many instances mental illness including depression and stress can draw people to become addicted to substances as a means of self-medicating to cope with depression, stress or anxiety.

Studies have found that more than one in four adults is living with depression, anxiety, and other issues. Depression, states mentalhealth.gov, is a serious medical illness.

“It’s more than just a feeling of being “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days, according to the government website. “If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.”

Stress is a risk factor for developing an addiction, Good Rx Health’s website states. This risk is higher if a person is exposed to stress in early childhood or exposed to chronic stress at any time. Stress is also a barrier to recovery for people in active addiction, and it is a risk factor for relapse.

Substance use problems occur more frequently with certain mental health problems. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reported in 2012 that:

“The connection between stress and alcohol consumption was made early on in alcohol research… In the tension-reduction hypothesis, stress was seen to increase anxiety, and in response alcohol was consumed to reduce the anxiety.”

The report, titled: Effects of Stress on Alcoholic Consumption, by Robert Anthenelli, goes on to state that the significance of stress on alcohol abuse recently has been reemphasized by the alcohol use problems following post-traumatic stress disorder, such as those seen with some combat veterans.”

But whether someone experiencing or struggling with substance use is suffering from a mental illness, a brain disorder, or both, clinical names are not important. What is important is taking the first step to determine if there is a problem. That begins with a phone call.

As Director of Outpatient Services at Copper Country Mental Health Services, in Houghton, Jeff Williams said: “It takes a lot of guts and a lot of inner strength to make that first call to a mental health provider and say, ‘Hey, I’m not sure if I’m ready for this, but I was wondering if I could talk to you.”

 It takes a bit of bravery to make that call, because of the stigma attached to it, he explained.

“They don’t want to admit to themselves, admit to their family or friends that there may be a problem and there may be a diagnosis there,” said Williams.

The first step to ending an addiction problem, by entering recovery, is making that first call, Williams said. It does not have to be limited to a mental health provider.

“Call whoever,” he advises. “Clergy; talking to someone. Friends and family are great, even if they don’t know of available resources.”

For those who are afraid to make the phone call, it is important that they know from the beginning that they are not alone.

The Heroes in Recovery website states:

“We discovered that while 23 million people each year need help for addiction, only three million actually seek treatment. We’re looking to reach the other 20 million- those who may not be seeking help due to the overwhelming stigma that often surrounds substance use and mental health disorders.

Heroes in Recovery is a site dedicated to posting firsthand recovery stories written and submitted by people who succeed in longterm recovery from addiction. The website states:

“Heroes In Recovery breaks the stigma of addiction through the power of storytelling. We celebrate the heroic efforts of those who seek the help they need without feeling ashamed or isolated. Our movement thrives on the personal journeys of survivors — addicts, those struggling with mental health issues, their family members, and friends — to bring truth to the spotlight and create a global community of support.”

One poster, named Chad, finished his success story by offering encouragement to anyone questioning whether they may have a substance use problem:

“Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. It’s a journey best traveled with other people that are already on that path. There are so many resources available, you just have to want it.”

For more information on addiction, recovery and their effects on the brain, please visit the following websites:

• The Recovery Institute: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/neuroscience-of-recovery-the-brain-in-recovery/

• Good Rx Health: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/substance-use-disorder/stress-and-addiction

• For information on life after treatment and living in sobriety, visit the Heroes in Recovery website at https://heroesinrecovery.com/