Dr. Merrill Norton: The Science of Addiction and the Rewired Brain

In this episode of The Essence of Recovery, Shauna Harris and Brendan Leahy sit down with Dr. Merrill Norton, Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and a nationally recognized expert in addiction science, psychopharmacology, and recovery.Dr. Norton breaks down the neuroscience of substance use disorders, explaining how addiction changes the brain's reward, memory, motivation, and decision-making systems over time. Together, they explore the roles of dopamine, genetics, epigenetics, neuroinflammation, and why behavior that appears irrational from the outside can make sense within a brain affected by addiction.The conversation also examines why willpower alone is often insufficient, how recovery supports long-term healing of the brain, and what current research reveals about the biological realities of substance use disorders.Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in the science behind addiction, this episode offers insight, understanding, and hope.