Do we really have a clear understanding of drug addiction? Many do not, especially when you consider that it is truly a complex process that affects both behavior and brain patterns of the individual. What brings about the compulsiveness to abuse drugs? Is it a social problem or a medical one? Many people hold the wrong belief that stopping the addiction is merely about will power and the conviction to change. What are the causes of drug addiction? Drug Addiction Before we look at the causes, let us first get a better understanding what drug addiction is all about. It is defined as a type of chronic disease that attacks the reward system of the brain. The neurochemical reactions introduce substances that change the behavior of the individual. As a result, a drug addict also suffers from impaired judgment, emotional imbalance, and physiological dependence. With these in mind, overcoming the addiction would require a support system and therapeutic intervention from a specialist. As the person becomes more dependent on the substance, a collection of unique characteristics can be observed, such as:
Addiction will affect virtually all aspects of life. Those who struggle with their addiction may also suffer from memory impairment, physical problems, and even disability. Causes of Addiction Although addiction can refer to psychological dependence like those experiences with sex, gambling, and work, the most common form of addiction remains to be substance abuse. Similar to many mental health disorders, there are some factors that can contribute to the development of the addiction and dependence. What are these main factors that can cause drug addiction?
It is important to point out that many times, habits are mistaken for addiction. How do you differentiate between the two? The main difference is that although habits are second-nature, they can be controlled by choice. Attempting to break a habit can take time, just like addiction, but, there is no association with neurological or psychological changes that addiction brings. Effects on the Brain What exactly does the drugs do to the brain? First off, drugs are chemicals and once it successfully taps into the communication of the brain, it will disrupt the normal communication patterns of the cells. This means that there will be an inaccuracy in the way that information is sent, received, and processed.
How can drugs do this? There are 2 ways that this can be done; one is by imitating the natural chemical messengers of the brain, and the other is to overstimulate the reward circuit. Drugs like heroin and marijuana can easily imitate the chemical messengers because they have similar structures. This makes it easier for these types of drugs to fool the brain receptors causing abnormal brain functions. Cocaine on the other hand affects the brain by releasing an abnormally high amounts of neurotransmitters. This blocks the normal recycling of brain chemicals causing the signal between neurons to shut down. These are what commonly causes drug addiction. These are what successful treatment programs have to neutralize to help drug addicts live a productive life. If you want more information like this, please visit towardsrecovery.com.
0 Comments
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |