Humans are complex beings. We possess extraordinary abilities to control things and beings around us because of our exceptional cognitive skills. Also, we continue to expand our capabilities of domination. But, humans cave into petty addictive habits and grow excessively dependent on it. Intoxication Is highly pleasurable and calming and so the resultant addiction. Substance use and abuse like alcohol, drugs, tobacco are increasing exponentially. Addiction distorts thinking cognition and body functions. It induces an intense craving for the said substance.
Treating addiction is no mean task. It requires a lot of will power, strength, and grit — also involves heavy chances of rebounds. Most painful are the withdrawal symptoms when the addiction was severe. A study by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre reported an experimental treatment for deaddiction which proposed a brain implant. It undertook the treatment for a renowned doctor Frank Plummer who drank 20 ounces of whiskey every night. He willfully volunteered for the procedure himself. This procedure involves drilling holes in the skull, and electrode implants are inserted into the brain. It enables the implant to simulate a part of the brain linked to dopamine which regulates addiction. The procedure was successful and is purported to be more effective than other treatments. It was first such experimental treatment for deaddiction. The treated patient had earlier undergone a liver transplant and is said to be doing better at overcoming his addiction post the implant. It is no less than a revolution in deaddiction treatments. Similar kinds of experiments have been done earlier where deep brain simulations were used to treat drug addiction.
Brain-based interventions can be risky but highly potent if successful since it entails the brain the control centre of a body. Such procedures also invoke ethical questions. Even a minor mistake can jeopradise the entire life of a person. Moreover, such treatments must be used as a last resort since we as humans must not forget our values of exercising restraint when need be. A sustained recovery can be through not just physiological interventions but by overcoming psychological desires.
