In 2021, more than 36 million people worldwide were dealing with substance abuse disorders. This means they were having problems because of using drugs or alcohol. At its worst, it’s called addiction.
To understand why addiction is so tough to beat, let’s see how drugs affect the body.
When you use drugs a lot, your body gets used to them. This is called tolerance. You need more of the drug to feel the same effects. For example, alcohol makes you feel good and relaxed by changing how your brain works. But if you drink a lot, your brain gets used to it. So when you stop, you feel low and tired.
All addictive drugs change how your brain releases a chemical called dopamine. This chemical makes you feel good. The more you use drugs, the less dopamine your brain makes naturally. This makes you want the drug even more.
Using drugs a lot can make your body depend on them. This means you need the drug to feel normal. And it can make you feel out of control like you can’t stop using it, even if you want to.
If you stop using the drug, your body gets upset. You might feel like you need the drug to feel okay. This is called withdrawal. For example, if you stop using opioids, you might feel more pain and have trouble sleeping.
Some drugs are more addictive than others. This depends on how fast they affect your brain. Heroin, for example, is fast and very addictive. Nicotine in cigarettes is also fast, which makes smoking hard to quit.
How People React
People are different when it comes to addiction. Some might be more likely to get addicted because of their genes or life experiences. Trauma and mental health problems can make it more likely. Also, using drugs at a young age is risky because young brains are sensitive.
Stopping drugs can be tough. It’s not just about quitting; it’s about changing your life. Treatment focuses on helping you with other problems you might have and finding new ways to live without drugs.
In the end, addiction and recovery show how our brains can change based on our experiences.