Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Wenatchee
Why is it that some people can't overcome their drug addiction while others can. There aren't any single traits that can predict if someone will become drug dependent. Many factors can affect your chances of becoming addicted. The more predisposing traits a person has, the higher their chances of becoming addicted to drugs.
Environment. People's environments include many factors, including their family, friends, financial situation and overall quality of life. Many factors can influence a person's risk of becoming addicted to drugs. These include peer pressure, emotional and sexual abuse, early drug exposure, stress, parental supervision, and peer pressure.
Development. An individual's genetic makeup, environment, and developmental milestones throughout their life can all influence their chances of falling prey to addiction. Any age can fall prey to drug addiction, but it is more likely to develop if you start using drugs earlier in your life. Teenagers are more likely to become addicted because of this. Teenagers, whose brains are still in development, may be more likely than others to experiment with drugs. Poor judgment, poor decisionmaking, and lack of control are all examples of these behavior.
Most drugs cause the brain to "reward circuit" and trigger euphoria. Dopamine also floods the brain with chemical messengers. If the reward system is functioning properly, it motivates people to perform vital behaviors such as eating or spending time with loved ones. In the reward circuit, dopamine spikes can reinforce unhealthy and pleasurable behaviors like using drugs. This encourages people to keep repeating the same behavior.
As the person continues to use drugs, their brain adapts and reduces the ability of reward circuit cells that can respond to it. This results in a decrease in the amount of the drug's effects on the brain, also known as tolerance. To attain the same high, they may use more of it. These brain adaptations often result in the person becoming less able to experience pleasure from other activities, such food or sex.
Long-term abuse can cause other brain chemical system and circuit changes. This can have an impact on learning, judgments, decision-making processes, stress, memory and behavior. Even though they are aware of these adverse outcomes, many drug users continue to use them. This is the nature and origin of addiction.
Why is it that some people become addicted while others do not? One factor cannot predict if someone will become addicted. There are many factors that influence the risk of developing addiction. A person is more likely to become addicted to drugs if they have a higher risk factor.