Effect of familiar relationships in addictions
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The Effect of Familiar Relationships on Addictions
Introduction to Social Attachment and Addiction
Social attachment plays a crucial role in human behavior and emotional regulation. Research indicates that strong social bonds can act as a protective factor against addiction and stress. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects involve complex interactions between various brain systems and neuropeptides, such as oxytocin, which facilitate the formation and maintenance of social attachments.
Neurobiological Mechanisms: Oxytocin and Corticostriatal Systems
Oxytocin, a neuropeptide, is pivotal in the formation of secure social attachments and coping with stress. It helps shift brain processing from novelty and reward-seeking behaviors to the appreciation of familiar social aspects. This shift is facilitated by the ventral-to-dorsal activation in corticostriatal loops, which balances reactive reward drives (wanting) with stable appreciation (liking or loving). This balance increases resilience against stress and addiction by consolidating social information and aiding in the selection of optimal future actions.
Social Isolation and Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is often associated with social isolation and a breach of social norms. Individuals with cocaine dependence exhibit a blunted reward response to social interactions, which is evident through reduced feelings of pleasantness and diminished neural responses in the orbitofrontal cortex during social interactions. This dampened reward response impacts the richness of social connections, highlighting the importance of social emotions in recovery. Successfully recovered addicts frequently cite social emotions, such as the desire to avoid family embarrassment, as significant motivators for their recovery.
Internet Addiction and Interpersonal Relationship Troubles
Internet addiction (IA) is another form of addiction that significantly impacts interpersonal relationships. A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between IA and troubles in interpersonal relationships among teenagers and college students. These troubles span various dimensions, including difficulties in interpersonal conversation, making friends, dealing with people, and heterosexual communication. The findings suggest that IA exacerbates interpersonal relationship issues, which can hinder healthy social development.
Conclusion
Familiar relationships and social attachments play a critical role in mitigating the effects of addiction. Neurobiological mechanisms involving oxytocin and corticostriatal systems enhance resilience against addiction by fostering secure attachments and effective stress coping. Conversely, addictions such as cocaine and internet addiction are linked to social isolation and interpersonal relationship troubles, underscoring the importance of social bonds in both the development and recovery from addiction. Addressing these social dimensions is essential for effective intervention and therapy in addiction treatment.
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