Potentially addictive drugs target the reward system in your brain. Dopamine floods your brain. This creates a strong feeling of pleasure. To achieve this high, you continue to take the drug.
Many people don’t know why others are addicted to drugs. Many people mistakenly believe that addicts to drugs are lacking moral principles or willpower. They think they can stop using drugs simply by choosing not to. Drug addiction can be a complex disease. It is not possible to quit with just good intentions. The brain is affected by drugs in a way that makes it hard to quit. Researchers now know more about the brain effects of drugs and have developed treatments to help addicts get sober and live productive lives.
Addiction refers to a chronic condition that causes compulsive drug use and seeks. Most people will not take up drugs after making the initial decision. However, repeated drug abuse can cause brain changes that make it difficult to control cravings and reduce self-control. These brain changes can last for years, so drug addiction is often referred to as a "relapsing” disease. People in recovery from drug addiction are more at risk of relapsing after years of abstaining.
Relapses are not uncommon. However, it does not mean that treatment has failed. As with all chronic diseases, treatment should be continued and adjusted according to the patient's responses. Patients' changing needs should be considered and treatment plans must be modified.
Is it possible to overcome or prevent drug addiction?
Similar to other chronic disorders like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, the majority of the time, drug addiction therapy does not lead to a full recovery. The symptoms of addiction, on the other hand, can be successfully handled. For a long time, possibly the rest of their lives, people who are trying to overcome an addiction are at risk of relapsing. It has been demonstrated that the most effective approach for the majority of patients to treat addiction is a mix of medication and behavioural therapy. Utilizing treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient's history of drug use as well as any accompanying physical, mental, or social concerns can help them maintain their sobriety.
The possibility of avoiding drug use and addiction is another hopeful development. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded research revealed the value of drug misuse prevention programmes that included families, schools, communities, and the media in preventing or reducing drug abuse and addiction. It has been demonstrated that when young people view drug use to be harmful, they tend to cut back on their usage, even if both individual experiences and social factors have a role in moulding drug use patterns. In order to help people understand the potential risks of drug use, education and outreach are crucial steps in the process. Parents, schools, and medical professionals all have a responsibility to educate children, especially with regard to drug use and addiction prevention.