You may initially choose to use a drug simply because you love the way it makes your feel. It may seem like you have control over how much you take and how often. Drugs can alter the way your brain works over time. These changes can be lasting. These changes can cause you to lose control and lead to dangerous behaviors.
Addiction and physical dependence are two different things. If you suddenly stop using a drug, it can cause withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance is when a drug's effectiveness decreases over time.
Why may some people never overcome their drug tolerance while others are able to do so? There isn't a single trait that can accurately predict if someone would become drug dependent. Numerous distinct variables affect the chance of being addicted. The likelihood that a person will get addicted to drugs increases with the number of predisposing features they have.
What is drug dependence? Addiction is a disorder that alters the brain and behavior. A person who is addicted to drugs cannot resist the temptation to use them, no matter how harmful they might be. The earlier you get treatment for drug addiction, you can prevent the disease from getting worse.
How to stop becoming dependent on prescribed painkillers. Most people who use painkillers as prescribed by their doctor for long periods of time do not become addicted. There are no reasons to discourage you from using drugs to relieve your pain. You could be at greater risk if your family has used or have used drugs or alcohol in excess.
Environment. A person's surroundings have a wide range of influences, including their family, friends, financial situation, and overall quality of life. There are several elements that might influence a person's likelihood of being addicted to drugs, such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental monitoring.
Most drugs create pleasure and flood the brain’s "reward circuit” with the chemical messenger dopamine. A functional reward system is able to stimulate a person's desire to perform essential activities such as eating and spending more time with loved ones in order to sustain their survival. Dopamine increases in the reward circuit encourage harmful but enjoyable behaviours, such as drug abuse, and cause people to do the same activity over and over again.
You might initially decide to take a drug because it makes you feel good. You might think that you can control how many times you take it. Over time, drugs can change the way your brain functions. These physical changes can last for a long time. They can make it difficult to control your life and cause destructive behaviors.
Is it possible not to get addicted to drugs?
Most drugs cause the brain to "reward circuit" and trigger euphoria. Dopamine also floods the brain with chemical messengers. If the reward system is functioning properly, it motivates people to perform vital behaviors such as eating or spending time with loved ones. In the reward circuit, dopamine spikes can reinforce unhealthy and pleasurable behaviors like using drugs. This encourages people to keep repeating the same behavior.
It is not uncommon for people to develop a tolerance to painkillers. This means that they require more medication to achieve the same pain relief. This is normal and does not indicate an addiction problem. You might have to take more if you have an addiction. However, this does not mean you are suffering from pain. Talk to your doctor if you are unable to manage this side effect.
Why do some people develop a drug addiction but not others? Nobody's susceptibility to drug addiction can be predicted by a single factor. Risk for addiction is influenced by a number of variables. The likelihood that using drugs will result in addiction increases as a person's risk factors increase.
Long-term abuse can cause cognitive and behavioural problems. It can alter brain chemical systems and circuits. Long-term drug use is an addiction that many people continue to use, despite the obvious dangers.
How to prevent dependence on prescription painkillers. Most people who use their medication as directed by their doctor do not develop an addiction to it. Do not allow your fear of getting addicted to drugs stop you from seeking out pain relief through the use such substances. You may also be more at risk if your family has suffered from substance abuse in the past or if they have.