Drug Addiction, also called Substance Use Disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior that leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Drug Addiction does not occur because of moral weakness, a lack of willpower, or an unwillingness to stop. This finding stems from decades of work investigating the effects of substance use on brain chemistry.
The first time individuals drink or take drugs, they do so voluntarily, and they believe they can control their use. Typically Drug addiction can start with the experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. With time, more and more alcohol or drugs are needed to achieve the same level of pleasure and satisfaction as when they first stated. Seeking out and taking the substance becomes a near-constant activity, causing significant problems for them and their family and friends. At the same time, progressive changes in the brain drive compulsive, uncontrollable drug use known as addiction.
When this happens, individuals can no longer voluntarily choose to not use drugs or alcohol, even if it means losing everything they once valued.
The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.
As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).
It’s a trap, so please consult with mental health professionals as we offer Short Term, Long Term IPD, and OPD Based Program for Substance Use Disorders. For the management of your or your relative’s Substance Use Disorder, please contact our highly qualified mental health professionals Team.
Sources- (i) https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/brain-health/science-says-addiction-a-chronic-disease-not-a-moral-failing
(ii)https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112#:~:text= Drug%20addiction%2C%20also%20called%20substance,nicotine%20also%20are%20considered%20drugs.
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ANKUR REHAB CENTRE, INDORE (M.P.)