Addiction
Addiction and the Brain: A Neurological Approach to Recovery
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Inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior despite efforts to quit
Increasing tolerance, requiring larger amounts to achieve the same effect
Preoccupation with the substance or behavior at the expense of other responsibilities
Withdrawal from social circles and activities once enjoyed
Secrecy and lying about substance use or behaviors
Continued use despite awareness of negative consequences
Withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shaking, or headaches
Changes in appetite or weight due to substance use
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or excessive fatigue
Developing health complications related to substance use, such as liver disease or lung damage
Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-loathing related to substance use
Mood swings and irritability, often triggered by cravings or withdrawal
Anxiety and depression, either as a cause or consequence of addiction
Neglecting work, school, or household responsibilities
Damaged relationships with family and friends
Engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving under the influence
Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward change. Understanding that addiction is a disorder of brain function—not a personal failing—allows for a more effective and compassionate path to recovery.
Addiction is not a failure of willpower, nor is it a moral failing. It is a neurological condition, rooted in the brain’s reward system, which has been reshaped by repeated exposure to substances or behaviors that hijack its natural functions. The same neural pathways that regulate pleasure, motivation, and habit formation—the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—are the ones disrupted in addiction.
Over time, addictive substances and behaviors alter brain function, creating a neurophysiological imbalance that reinforces compulsive use. The brain begins to crave stimulation not out of choice but out of necessity, as the ability to experience pleasure in ordinary life diminishes. The individual is left chasing a reward that is increasingly elusive, while the brain struggles to regulate itself without external stimulation.
Dr. Dogris, Addiction Specialist and Director of Neuroscience at FHE Health Rehabilitation in Boca Raton, FL
Our own Dr. Nicholas Dogris serves as the Director of Neuroscience at FHE Health in Boca Raton, FL, where he can be found 25% of the time. Dr. Dogris’ innovative neurostimulation modalities has helped thousands of individuals overcome addiction, contributing to a remarkable decrease in relapse rates at FHE Health to just 3%. Through advanced neurotherapy techniques, Dr. Dogris continues to set new standards in addiction recovery, offering hope and lasting change for those seeking freedom from dependency.
Addiction and EEG: Understanding the Neurological Patterns
Addiction manifests in distinct patterns of brainwave activity, many of which can be observed through computational neuroanalysis and QEEG brain mapping. Common EEG profiles associated with addiction include:
Low-Power EEG – Many individuals with alcoholism show poorly synchronized brain activity, a low voltage profile that coincides with anxiousness, leading to frenetic feelings, tension, and a need for external stimulation. This can be a predisposing factor for addiction or a consequence of long-term substance use.
Generalized Spindling Beta – A phenotypical pattern in individuals with drive and insomnia. This profile predisposes people to anxiety, which is often tied to addictions in sedatives and depressant substances. Often individuals with active benzodiazepine addiction and alcohol addiction show this pattern, as well, signaling toxicity in the brain.
Alcohol-Induced Dampening – Chronic alcohol use can lead to a suppression of brain activity, further reinforcing the need for external stimulation to feel engaged or alert.
Hyper-Reactivity to Addiction Cues – In many cases, the brain’s response to addiction-related stimuli (such as the sight or thought of a substance) is heightened, making relapse more likely.
By identifying these patterns, neurotherapy provides a path to restoring neurological balance, allowing the brain to function without dependency on external substances or behaviors.
A Targeted Approach to Addiction Treatment
While traditional addiction treatments focus on behavioral modification and psychological intervention, neurotherapy addresses addiction at its source—the brain itself. By retraining dysfunctional patterns of brain activity, it becomes possible to reduce cravings, improve impulse control, and restore the brain’s natural reward mechanisms.
Step 1: QEEG Brain Mapping and Addiction Profiling
A quantitative EEG (QEEG) is conducted to assess the specific brainwave imbalances present in each individual. This helps determine:
How addiction has altered brain function
Which areas of the brain are underactive or overstimulated
The presence of pre-existing neurological factors that may have contributed to addiction
This personalized approach ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual’s unique neurological profile.
Step 2: Neurostimulation and Neurofeedback for Recovery
Neurostimulation helps to correct low-power EEG patterns, restoring normal brain function and reducing the need for external stimulation.
Neurofeedback trains the brain to self-regulate cravings, improve impulse control, and strengthen cognitive flexibility, reducing the risk of relapse.
Studies have shown that neurotherapy can lead to:
A decrease in cravings for alcohol, nicotine, and other substances
A reduction in brain reactivity to addiction-related cues
Improved decision-making and reduced engagement in risky behaviors
Unlike traditional treatments that rely solely on behavioral interventions, neurotherapy directly engages with the neurological circuits that sustain addiction, allowing for more effective and lasting recovery.
Beyond Withdrawal: Rebuilding Brain Function
Addiction does not end with detox. Even after substance use stops, the brain remains in a dysregulated state, increasing vulnerability to relapse. The goal of neurotherapy is not just to remove the addictive substance or behavior but to restore the brain’s ability to function independently of it. This includes:
Strengthening cognitive function – Improving focus, decision-making, and mental clarity
Regulating mood – Reducing anxiety, depression, and emotional instability that contribute to relapse
Enhancing the brain’s natural reward system – Restoring the ability to feel pleasure and motivation without external substances
By retraining the brain’s reward pathways, neurotherapy provides a foundation for long-term recovery—one that does not rely on willpower alone but on a fundamentally changed neurological state.
Rewiring the Brain, Rebuilding the Self
Addiction changes the brain, but the brain can change back. With the right approach, it is possible to reduce cravings, restore self-control, and rebuild the ability to experience pleasure naturally. Neurotherapy offers a way to break free from the neurological traps of addiction, providing a scientific, personalized, and effective path forward.
