YES YOU CAN –
Aug, 27, 2025 – If you’ve struggled with addiction, you’ve probably felt how deeply it affects your mind. And if you’re thinking about recovery, you may be worried how, and if, your brain can bounce back. Can you really rewire your brain from addiction? Short answer: Yes.
“Your brain is resilient,” says J. Craig Allen, MD, vice president of addiction services for Hartford HealthCare and medical director of the Rushford Center, part of its Behavioral Health Network. “It has a remarkable ability to adapt and adjust, and with the right support, treatment and time, return your neural pathways to normal function.” It’s a common fear in recovery: that addiction has caused lasting brain damage. But research shows that with sustained sobriety, therapy, and healthy habits — including sleep, exercise, and medication when needed — brain function can improve significantly, sometimes even fully returning to baseline.
