Introduction
The fields of psychology and neurology are awash with researches that seek to establish how behaviors are influenced in human personality and what the motivation for human action is. In this context, determining the cause of drug addiction behavior such as the brain processes involved as well as social interactivity and thought processes has been the objective of many studies. Imaging and scanning technologies like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) that enable further insight have been used in this inquiry (Volkow, Fowler, and Wang, 2003). The insights gained have informed debates and research. This paper reviews this knowledge in seeking to analyze how brain structures and functions as well as other factors are related to the motivation to refrain from drug use.
Intrinsic motivators that are dominant often lead to higher success rates for addicts looking for long-term refrain from drugs. The first intrinsic factors are the brain structures that are part of an individual’s motivation to refrain from the use of drugs. This is because these structures are involved in the creation of brand new memories that control the emotions contributing to the maintenance of a positive attitude regarding refraining from drug use. According to Volkow, Fowler, & Wang (2003), during intoxication or drug craving, the frontal parts of the brain such as the cingulate gyrus and orbitofrontal cortex are affected during withdrawal. This causes abnormal brain activity in these regions. This is because there is an intricate pattern of brain circuits linking reward (nucleus accumbens), cognitive control (cingulated gyrus and prefrontal cortex), motivation (orbitofrontal cortex) and memory (hippocampus and amygdale). This means that these structures are involved in the process that provides the individual with a sense of accomplishment after they have refrained from drug use. The orbitofrontal cortex comprises of a secondary taste cortex. This is the region in which the value of taste reward is represented. The reward value associated with smells/ odors is also substantiated in this region Placidi, Boggiano, Oswald, Chandler, Wauford & Maldonado, (2004). Information regarding the sight of things is also received. Learning is done by the neurons and the visual stimulus associated with the objects seen is interpreted. In this case, the drug is perceived either through vision or the olfactory senses and it triggers a certain response. The highly developed prefrontal cortex helps place a restraint on impulsive behavior and the person’s ability to make good decisions on drug use. Drug use starts as a voluntary act but chronic use may permanently alter the brain. This leads to the brain functioning differently to that of a normal human being.
Another intrinsic motivation factor is encouragement and promotion of individual responsibility. This goes a long way in enhancing an addict’s recovery. The need to become responsible may be influenced from within. An interesting finding by DiClemente, Bellino, & Neavins (1999) is that patients with advanced alcohol problems had an overall higher level of internal motivation for refraining from drug use and seeking treatment.
External motivators that may make a drug abuser to seek treatment from use of drugs or to refrain from drug abuse may include intervention from a close friend or family member. However, the decision by the individual to seek treatment or refrain from drug use is not dependent on extrinsic factors. The motivators may be hypothetical depending on the trend in the life of the addict during use or depend on events that have occurred of are in the process of occurring. According to Weistreich (2007), motivators may include loss of a strong relationship, loss of employment, abuse by a spouse, financial woes as well as physical deterioration.
The environment is a major extrinsic factor in the motivation to refrain from drug abuse. Environmental factors that may be involved include the existence of other drug users in or around the residence of the addict. This is because the addict relates to others like him and may be influenced against stopping the practice of abuse of from seeking help. In addition, environmental cues that happened when the individual was abusing the drugs become somewhat connected with the drug abuse itself. This makes it difficult for the individual abusing drugs to differentiate between the drug abuse and the environmental cues. This means that individuals who associate environmental cues (such as being in as nightclub) with drug use may experience a great craving if they are exposed to the environment after a period of refraining from drug use. This exposure may affect the level of motivation of the drug addict by resulting into further difficulties with abstaining. In addition, some environments place a higher degree of restrictions to drug use as compared to others. In education institutions, for example, students are prohibited from use of drugs within a given radius from the educational center. This results in differences in the level of motivation between individuals. Laws regulating smoking in public spaces also come into play.
Genetics also account for about half of the extent to which the individual is motivated to refrain from drug use. A gene factor may contribute to the difficulty in quitting the use of a certain drug. For example, nicotine has effects on the rate at which dopamine is released in brain neurons. Neurotransmitters are types of chemicals located at the end of the sending neurons. Neurotransmitters diffuse across a gap or synapse, stimulating the receiving neurons. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which activates feelings of euphoria or pleasure that are seen in consciousness (Placidi et al., 2004). The fact that there are differences in neurotransmitter activity which are attributed to characteristics which are hereditary means that dopamine release is also dependent on genetics. This means that some individuals are more likely to be motivated than others in stopping the use of drugs based on their dopamine potency or neurotransmitter accuracy. These attributes are hereditary.
Conclusion
The motivation to refrain from drug use may be affected by a number of factors. These factors may be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic factors are those factors that emerge from within the individual’s boy or character while extrinsic factors are influenced by the environment and other external causes. Brain processes and functions are intrinsic factors that affect an individual’s motivation to refrain from drug use. This is because these structures are part of the development of brand new memories that control the emotions contributing to the maintenance of a positive attitude regarding refraining from drug use. External factors include promotion and encouragement from other people. In addition the environment plays a key role in the level of motivation. This is because environmental cues associated with use of the drug as well as environmental restrictions have a bearing on the level of motivation.
References
DiClemente, C., Neavins, T. & Bellino, L., (1999). Motivation for change and alcoholism treatment. Alcohol Research & Health. 23(2) Retrieved November 16, 2008, from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-2/086-92.pdf
Placidi, R. J, Boggiano, M. M., Oswald, K. D., ., Chandler, P. C., Wauford, K., & Maldonado, C., (2004). Hunger and Stress alter anorectic efficacy of fluoxetine. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36(3), 329-341
Volkow, N., Wang, G. & Fowler, J., (2003). The addicted human brain: insights from imaging studies. The American Society of Clinical Investigation. November 16, 2008, retrieved http://www.jci.org/articles/view/18533
Westreich, M. (2007). Helping the addict you love: the new effective program for getting the addict into treatment. Fireside.
