This blog post is a continuation of Part 1, in which we explain the “squirrel logic” theory presented by Brad Lander, PhD—a clinical psychologist in addiction medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Talbot Hall.
As we shared in Part 1, humans have the most complex brains of all living beings. But our brains also include the same “parts” of less developed beings, such as the squirrel. The squirrel brain that exists within all human brains, Dr. Lander explains, “wants what it wants when it wants it.”
But, because the squirrel brain lacks a developed prefrontal cortex (where logic and reasoning occur), the squirrel doesn’t understand the consequences of its behavior. The human brain, however, does include a developed prefrontal cortex, which is at odds with the contents of the human’s “squirrel brain.”
The key here is that the catalyst for addictive behavior doesn’t take place in the prefrontal cortex; it’s located in the human’s “squirrel brain.” Today, we know that treatment is basically about reprogramming the “squirrel brain” for those struggling with addiction.
Dr. Lander explains that the lack of ability to control addictive behavior holds the key to understanding how to help people struggling with addiction. A few years ago, in a presentation for the Montana Courts, he shared, “People aren’t really doing this through volition…they are doing it because they are compelled to…they have to.” He goes on to explain, “They don’t want to be in this condition where they have to depend on a drug or finding it or the money and all the guilt and everything that comes with. They don’t want any of that. And yet they cannot stop. It becomes totally compulsive.”
“People aren’t really doing this through volition…they are doing it because they are compelled to…they have to.”
According to Dr. Lander, once a person is using drugs regularly, the brain views it as a “new environment.” A deep neural pathway is created within the brain, which impacts the brain’s reward center in the same way as food, water and sex. Addiction creates a false survival drive, “tricking” the brain into believing that the drug is needed to survive. After this part of a person’s brain has adapted to the “new environment,” he or she cannot simply “un-adapt.”
The good news is that, as we’ve come to understand that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease—rather than a lack of willingness or motivation to do better—we are better poised to achieve lasting recovery. At First Step Recovery and Parkman Recovery, we take this to heart, providing empathic compassionate care for those struggling with addiction.
If you or a loved one need addiction treatment, contact Parkman Recovery (male-only facility) or First Step Recovery today!
