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Celebrating Differences: World Down Syndrome Day and the Pow...
By: Dr. Pankaj Mandale 16 Mar 2023
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Drug abuse and addiction are global challenges that devastate lives, families, and communities. Misusing substances for longer periods of time can lead to many short-term and long-term impacts on the body, depending on what drugs an individual has been using. Not only your physical but also mental and behavioural health takes a toll due to drug addiction.
But what are the reasons for people to indulge in drug abuse and addiction? What signs can indicate that you are addicted to drugs? How can your mental health suffer? In this article, we will delve into what drug abuse and addiction mean, how they affect the brain, the risk factors involved, and the warning signs you should be aware of.
Drug abuse refers to the misuse of harmful or hazardous substances, including illegal drugs (heroin, cocaine, etc.), prescribed sleep or anti-anxiety medications, alcohol, nicotine, and over-the-counter drugs, for non-medical purposes. It starts with drug abuse and often leads to addiction.
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder that not only affects your brain functioning but also your behaviour. When addicted to drugs, your body fails to resist the urge to use them despite their harmful consequences. Over time, your brain becomes dependent on the substance, making it difficult for you to quit on your own, and thus, you might need medical treatment to overcome this addiction.
The human brain is wired to make people repeat experiences that make them feel good, relaxed, or happier. So, people are motivated to do such things again and again.
How drug addiction works is it impacts your brain’s structure and function. When you administer drugs for the first time, most of the addictive ones target your brain's "reward circuit" by flooding it with dopamine, a chemical linked to intense pleasure. This overstimulation causes an intense feeling of euphoria, making you take those drugs repeatedly to chase that high.
Over time, your brain becomes less sensitive to dopamine, which means it becomes used to it. So, you think of taking more and more drugs to experience the same good feeling. Amidst all this, other things you used to enjoy, like food, relationships, or hobbies, might start giving you less pleasure.
Therefore, long-term drug addiction can change your brain’s other chemical systems and circuits as well, negatively impacting your:
With all these abilities declining, you end up taking harmful substances in ways that are beyond your control.
Just like other disorders and diseases, the likelihood of developing drug addiction varies from one individual to another. Many risk factors can make a person more likely to misuse drugs and become addicted to them. In this section, you can learn some biological, environmental, and other factors increasing the risk of drug abuse and addiction for people:
| Genetics | Genetic predisposition is responsible for about half of your odds. If you have a family history of drug addiction, you might be more susceptible to developing a substance use disorder. |
| Gender | Studies show that men are more likely to abuse drugs, although women may progress from use to addiction more quickly. |
| Mental Disorders | If you are depressed, anxious, or diagnosed with PTSD, you are at higher risk of drug abuse as you might turn to substances to self-medicate. |
| Chaotic Home and Family Environment | Growing up in a household where drug abuse is prevalent or where family troubles, neglect, or violence is common can significantly raise the chances of developing drug addiction later in life. |
| Peer and School Influence | Peer pressure or associating with friends who abuse drugs can increase the risk of drug use, especially in adolescence. Similarly, if you struggle in school or have poor academic performance or social skills, you might start experimenting with drugs to feel better. |
| Community Attitudes | Communities where you are disrespected or those where drugs are readily available tend to see higher rates of addiction. |
| Early Use | The earlier someone begins using drugs, the more likely they are to develop addiction and experience serious problems. |
| How the Drug is Administered | Drugs that are injected or smoked enter the bloodstream and brain more rapidly, creating a stronger high and, thus, increasing their addictive potential. |
By identifying the warning signs of drug abuse and addiction early, you can prevent long-term damage to your or your loved one’s health. Below listed are some common indicators:
Is your drug use getting out of control? Are you experiencing the above-discussed symptoms? If so, you should seek medical help. There is no definitive cure for drug abuse, and getting better from drug addiction can take time. However, with the proper guidance and treatment, it’s possible to stop using drugs and even stay drug-free for your remaining life.
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