Rethinking Addiction Recovery: From Symptoms to Systems

For years, addiction was viewed through the lens of morality and willpower, rather than as the complex brain disease we now understand it to be. That shift in perspective marked real progress in reducing stigma and moving treatment forward. But now, another shift must happen—recognizing addiction as a condition that affects not just the brain but the entire biological system.

The brain and the body are two parts of a whole. We cannot attempt to heal one while ignoring the other.

Addiction’s Biological Impact

Addiction creates widespread disruption throughout the body, altering neurochemistry, metabolism, immunity, and hormonal balance. Treatment still largely emphasizes psychological care, often overlooking how deeply substance use disorders (SUDs) affect biological systems.

For example, addiction tends to adversely affect a person’s nutrition, yet it is often given little thought in treatment. Individuals with SUDs often experience nutrient depletion, which directly influences brain function, mood, and immune health. Nutrients are raw materials for key neurotransmitters like serotonin and tryptophan, and neglecting this aspect can significantly hinder the healing process.

Disrupted circadian rhythms are another biological consequence of addiction that we routinely leave out of treatment planning. Substance use can throw off the body’s internal clock, derailing cortisol cycles and sleep-wake patterns. These disruptions don’t just lead to fatigue—they can impair mood stability and increase a person’s vulnerability to relapse.

Addiction also triggers neuroinflammation and antioxidant depletion—issues we can’t ignore if we expect our patients to recover. Antioxidant depletion can impair mitochondrial function and energy production, leading to excessive fatigue and problems managing everyday tasks. Addiction can also alter the production of hormones like cortisol and insulin, affecting how individuals respond to stress and maintain their motivation for positive change.

In my role as chief medical officer for a national addiction treatment network, I see these biological impairments every day. Yet they are rarely addressed in the recovery process. We need to change that.

Moving Beyond the Silos

Mainstream treatment models tend to operate in silos. Psychological care is delivered without evaluating nutritional status, sleep quality, or inflammatory markers. We suppress symptoms—cravings, withdrawal, and relapse—without tracing them to their biological roots.

A systems-based approach flips this script. Instead of chasing symptoms, we investigate what’s causing the brain and body to become dysregulated in the first place. Why is the brain misfiring? What cellular or metabolic factors are contributing to the dysfunction?

Personalized care is essential. Biological diversity—differences in metabolism, genetics, nutrient processing—demands tailored treatment strategies. When we stop applying one-size-fits-all solutions and begin addressing the individual as a complete system, outcomes improve.

Beyond the Brain: The Future of Addiction Treatment

Redefining addiction as a brain disease was a necessary evolution, but we now know it’s not enough. Addiction, viewed through the lens of systems biology, resembles more of a multi-system breakdown than a singular neurological condition.

The body is a network. One imbalance throws off the entire system. The body functions like an orchestra—when one system is out of sync, it disrupts the harmony of the whole, no matter how well the others perform.

It’s time we abandoned the outdated idea that the mind and body can heal independently. Treatment must be coordinated and comprehensive. True recovery involves restoring the body’s regulatory systems alongside mental and emotional health. That means incorporating biological assessments into treatment plans as routinely as psychological evaluations. It means building protocols that support gut health, correct nutrient imbalances, realign circadian rhythms, and reduce systemic inflammation.

Healing happens on the cellular level. Without restoring physiological health, neurological recovery remains limited. A whole-person approach is essential for lasting outcomes.

Dr. Lawrence Weinstein is the Chief Medical Officer for American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders.