How do addictions impact your mental health?
Dependence is characterized as a multifaceted, long-term brain condition distinguished by an uncontrollable involvement in pleasurable stimuli regardless of negative outcomes. Generally, dependencies can be categorized into two main types: material dependencies and behavioral dependencies. Material dependencies involve reliance on substances like alcohol, nicotine, prescription medications, or illicit drugs. In contrast, behavioral dependencies include compulsive activities such as gambling, gaming, using the internet, shopping, or eating, where individuals obtain a psychological reward without the involvement of substance consumption.Understanding the Brain Science Behind AddictionAt its core, addiction hijacks the brain’s reward system, particularly the neural pathways involving dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated…







