A New Way To Treat Addiction, As Long As You're a Brain Surgeon

Addiction to drugs and alcohol isn't about weakness or immorality. We know that, right? Instead, it's caused by changes to the brain that create cravings that are difficult and eventually impossible to control. A neurosurgeon on Morgantown, West Virginia, is achieving success in ending dangerous cravings by treating the brain with ultrasound. A feature on 60 Minutes yesterday explained how it works.

First, Dr. Ali Rezai clarified what craving and addiction really are. "We've been able to map out through neuroscience imaging that there is a specific part of the brain that is electrically and chemically malfunctioning that is associated with addiction.... It's a brain disease. It's an electrical and chemical abnormality of the brain that occurs over time with recurrent use of drugs. And this can be any substance. It can be alcohol, it can be opioids, amphetamines, cocaine. And they all are involving the same part of the brain."

I think you'll find it worthwhile to see the entire segment on 60 minutes.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BGtVJ3lBdE The first part of the story deals with treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. That's worth watching, but to zero in on the neurological treatment of addiction, fast-forward to 13:20 of the story.