DRUGS AND ADDICTION

Drug addiction is a disease. It is a chronic and relapsing disease of the brain and it causes the individual to seek drugs and use it even if they have conscious knowledge of its harmful effects. This is considered as a disease because it alters an aspect of the brain process. The drugs change the structure of the brain and ultimately how a person perceives the world. The effects of abuse can be long lasting and it could eventually lead to aggressive behavior to the affected individual. Addiction ca n is likened to the diseases of the heart where it disrupts the regular functions of the brain that can be prevented or treated. However, if left untreated, can haunt the person for a lifetime.

People take drugs for various reasons. One is to “feel good.” drugs, most of them, are used to help the person reach an elevated state of euphoria. However, it is followed by other unfavorable effects and these effects vary depending on what drug was taken. If a person takes cocaine, a sense of high is achieved with increase in confidence. When someone uses heroin, the euphoric state will be more relaxed and satisfying. Another reason people use drugs is to feel better. Those who have depression, social anxiety and other disorders related to stress take drugs to lessen the feelings of anxiety. Stress is a major issue in drug addiction assessment and treatment. Other people use drugs for increased performance. Some use them to give physical and cognitive boost. Lastly, and probably one of the more common is the curiosity to try something. Peer pressures imminent among young teenagers can result to trying it for a dare or for the thrill.

People feel good when they take drugs, yes, but what comes after the feeling of euphoria is the most unbearable feeling. When the brain receives an intense feeling of “reinforcement” particularly the pleasure sensors, the brain craves for it and the body will show signs of withdrawal. People yearn for it to suffice the need or for the fear of the consequences. The drugs become part of the normal activities of the person’s brain it becomes a difficult condition to address once the person is too deep in the problem.

You can say that there is an aspect of will power in taking drugs. The person agrees at first to take the drugs and give them that sense of euphoria. However, when the drugs take over, the person will lose control and his brain becomes impaired. The altering of brain processes change the behavior of the person, often resulting to destructive and aggressive consequences. There are many factors for the drugs to be present but there seems to be not one factor that plays solely to affect the individual. The environment, the people a person meets the availability of drugs and upbringing can all affect that initial decision of a person to voluntarily take the drugs. However, when it comes to psychological aspects, teenagers with psychological issues are more at risk. Factors like home, family, school, friends, and community can all affect the overall susceptibility of the individual.