Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in University Place
You can also get addicted to prescription or illegally obtained narcotic pain medications, or opioids. This problem is at epidemic levels in the United States. In 2018, opioids played a role in two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths.
At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose control and can lead to damaging behaviors.
Addiction vs. Abuse and Tolerance: Drug abuse is when you use legal or illegal substances in ways you shouldn’t. You might take more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription. You may abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality. But usually, you’re able to change your unhealthy habits or stop using altogether.
Addiction is when you can’t stop. Not when it puts your health in danger. Not when it causes financial, emotional, and other problems for you or your loved ones. That urge to get and use drugs can fill up every minute of the day, even if you want to quit.
Addiction can be caused by drugs that target the reward system of your brain. Your brain is exposed to significant amounts dopamine. This results in a feeling of happiness that cannot be described as total. The prescription is continued in an effort to increase your happiness.
Your brain will begin to adapt as a result of the increase in dopamine. In order to get the same results, you may need more dopamine. Also, you might find it less pleasurable to engage in once-pleasurable activities such as eating and spending quality time with loved ones.
The brain's chemical pathways and functions can be also affected by prolonged drug use. They can impair your judgement, decision-making ability, memory, and learning ability. You may find it hard to resist the urge of using drugs in ways that are beyond your control when all these brain changes combine.