Addiction is considered a disease. It negatively impacts your brain as well as your behavior. When people are addicted to drugs, they are unable to use them, no matter how much harm these drugs can cause. The earlier you get the treatment for drug addiction, the more you tend to avoid some more dire consequences of the disease.
People usually think that drug addiction is all about cocaine, heroin, or other illegal drugs. However, people can have an addiction to nicotine, alcohol, anti-anxiety medications, and other legal substances.
Moreover, you can become addicted to opioids, prescription or illegally obtained narcotic pain medications. In the U.S., this problem is at epidemic levels. It has been reported that opioids played a role in two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths in the year of 2018.
People, at first, may opt to take a drug as they like the way it makes them feel. They may think that they can easily control how often and how much you use it. However, drugs can change how your brain works over time. These physical changes can last for a long time. They make you lose control and can cause damaging behaviors.
The Effect of Addiction on the Brain
Your brain makes you want to repeat experiences that make you feel good. That is why you feel motivated to do those activities repetitively.
The addictive drugs target the reward system of your brain. They have the ability to flood your brain with a chemical called Dopamine. This is capable of triggering a feeling of intense pleasure. You will keep taking the drug for chasing that high.
As time goes on, your brain will get used to the extra Dopamine. This is the reason you might need to take more amount of the drug so that you can get the same good feeling. Other things you enjoyed previously, such as hanging out with friends and family, food, etc., may provide you with less pleasure.
Using drugs for a long time can result in other brain chemical systems as well as circuits. They are able to hurt your memory, decision-making, ability to learn and judgment.
Together, these brain changes have the ability to make you seek out and take drugs in ways that you cannot control. The good news is that there are several addiction treatment in Green Brook available. These treatments include medicine, counseling, or both.
Who Tend to Become Addicted?
Different people have different bodies and brains. Moreover, people react differently to drugs. Some of them hate drugs and never try again. On the other hand, some love the feeling the first time they try it and want more.
Not all who use drugs become addicted. However, it can happen to anyone, and there is no age limit. There are some factors that can raise your chances of addiction. These factors include:
- Family history
- Mental disorders
- Early drug use
- Troubled relationship.
If you realize that your drug is causing problems or you are unable to control it, you must consider getting help from a professional. These professionals can figure out the best plan for you.
Remember one thing: getting better from drug addiction can take time. There is no cure; however, with proper addiction treatment, you can stop using drugs as well as stay drug-free.
