Addiction also is different from physical dependence or tolerance. In cases of physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms happen when you suddenly stop a substance. Tolerance happens when a dose of a substance becomes less effective over time.
When you use opioids for pain for a long time, for example, you may develop tolerance and even physical dependence. This doesn’t mean you’re addicted. In general, when narcotics are used under proper medical supervision, addiction happens in only a small percentage of people.
Long-term abuse can alter many chemical systems and brain circuits, which can lead to a variety of cognitive and behavioral functions including learning, judgement and decision-making. People who abuse drugs often continue to use them despite the fact that they can have harmful side effects.
Why does some people become addicted to drugs and others manage to stay away? There are many factors that influence the likelihood of a person developing a drug addiction. The likelihood of an addict developing a drug addiction is affected by many factors. A person's predisposition to addiction will increase the likelihood that they will become addicted to drugs.
Relapses are common, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the treatment was ineffective. Like other long-term conditions, patients should be treated and then modified according to their responses. The patient's needs change and treatment plans should be reviewed frequently.
What happens to a person's brain when they take drugs?
The brain's reward circuit is affected by most drugs. Dopamine floods the brain with chemicals that make you feel happy and gives it dopamine. People who have a good reward system keep doing the things they enjoy, such as eating well and spending time with friends and family. The reward circuit encourages people to do things that are not good for them, such as taking drugs. This encourages people to repeat the same behavior over and over.
Potentially addictive substances target your brain's reward systems. They flood your brain with the neurotransmitter, dopamine. This causes a sensation of great pleasure. To keep the high, you continue using the substance.
Your brain will adapt to the increase in dopamine over time. You may need to take more medicine to achieve the same effect. Other things, such as food or spending time with family, might offer less pleasure.
Another benefit is the fact that people can stop using drugs and becoming dependent on them. NIDA funded research shows that drug abuse and addiction can often be stopped or minimized by programmes that involve families as well schools, communities and the media. Personal and cultural factors play a role in drug usage trends. However, young people will tend to be less inclined to use drugs when they consider it harmful. The best way to make people aware of the dangers involved in using drugs is education and outreach. Teachers, parents, health workers, and others who work in education all play important roles in teaching young people how to stop them from abusing drugs and getting addicted.
To avoid becoming addicted to pain relievers, follow these steps: Take the medication precisely as directed by your doctor. Inform your doctor about any personal or family history of drug misuse or addiction; this will assist them in prescribing the medications that will be most effective for you.
It's important to remember that it's usual for people to acquire a tolerance to pain medication and require increasing dosages to achieve the same degree of pain relief. This is natural and does not indicate addiction. Higher dosages may be required in cases of addiction, but not for pain management. However, if this effect becomes bothersome, see your doctor.
Don't put off getting help; do it now. Talk to your doctor if your drug usage is out of control or causing concerns. It might take awhile to recover from a drug addiction. Although there is no cure, therapy can help you quit taking drugs and stay drug-free. Counseling, medication, or both may be used to treat you. Consult your doctor to determine the best option for you.
Can you cure or prevent drug addiction?
As with most chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and other forms of addiction, treatment for drug dependence is rarely a cure. Addiction is manageable and can be treated. Relapse is possible for many years after a person has been treated for addiction. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medication with behavioural therapy has the best chance of success for most people. Long-term recovery can be achieved by individualized treatment that is tailored to the individual's drug use and any co-occurring mental, physical, or social issues.