What changes in the brain occur when someone consumes drugs?
The "reward circuit" in the brain is affected by the majority of drugs, which causes pleasure and fills the brain with the chemical messenger dopamine. A person is motivated to repeat behaviours necessary for flourishing, such as eating and spending time with loved ones, by a well-functioning reward system. The reinforcement of behaviours that are pleasurable but hazardous, like as drug use, is brought on by dopamine surges that take place in the reward circuit. Individuals then repeat the behaviour as a result of this.
The reward circuit's cells' ability to respond to stimuli will become less sensitive if a person uses drugs over time. As long as the person uses drugs, this will continue to occur. The impact of this occurrence, known as tolerance, is to reduce the high the person feels in contrast to the high they had when they first took the drug. By ingesting more of the chemical, they might attempt to get the same high. Due to these brain changes, the person frequently discovers that they are unable to enjoy other activities that they used to like, such as eating, engaging in sexual activity, or participating in social activities.
Many people are confused as to how or why other people become addicted. Some people mistakenly think that people who use drugs lack morality or willpower. If they made the decision to stop using drugs, they wouldn't be able to stop. Drug addiction can be a complex problem. Overcoming it requires more than positive thinking and strong willpower. The brain effects of drug abuse can make it difficult for even the most determined addicts to quit. Scientists now have a better understanding of how drugs affect brain function and can offer therapies that help people get clean and live productive lives.
Addiction can be defined as a chronic disorder characterized by an excessive drug seeking behavior and the use of drugs without regard to the adverse effects on one’s health. Addiction can be hard to control. Most people take drugs freely, but chronic drug abuse can cause brain changes that make it difficult for individuals to maintain self-control and hinder their ability to resist the temptation to use drugs. Relapsing drug addiction is often called "relapsing" because the brain changes that can result from it can be very long-lasting. This indicates that people who have been treated for drug addiction may be more likely to resume drug use after a break.