Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Redmond
Another good news is the possibility of avoiding drug addiction and using drugs. Teachers, parents, as well as health-care providers, play an important role in teaching children how to avoid drug addiction and use.
What exactly is drug addiction? Addiction is a brain disorder and a behavior disorder. If you're addicted to drugs, it's impossible to stop yourself using them, regardless of how harmful they may be. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of avoiding some of the worst consequences.
Addiction doesn't just include heroin and cocaine. Addiction can also include addiction to alcohol, tobacco, sleep, anti-anxiety drugs and other legal substances.
You can also become dependent on narcotic pain relieving drugs, commonly known as opioids. This is true whether you purchase them legally or illegally. This epidemic has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States. In 2018, two-thirds (63%) of all drug overdose deaths were attributable to opioids.
For example, if you take opioids for long periods of time, you might develop tolerance or even physical dependence. However, this does not mean that you are addicted. Addiction is rare when narcotics can be used under medical supervision.
The Effect on Your Brain: Your brain wires are wired to want to repeat positive experiences. You're so motivated to do them again.
Drugs that are addictive can target your brain's reward systems. Dopamine floods your brain. This causes intense pleasure. To chase this high, you keep using the drug.
Your brain adapts to the additional dopamine over time. To get the same feeling, you may need to take more dopamine. You may also find that other activities, such as food or spending time with loved ones, give you less pleasure.