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Why and how of drug abuse
Why and how of drug abuse
This in no way means that addiction is irreversible and should be treated as a terminal disease. But, the approach has to be scientific and medical intervention is a must.
California,
US,
United States of America
(prbd.net)
19/01/2011
There’s an old proverb that says ‘curiosity killed the cat’. Man is in no way insulated from this danger. As several sources of data have confirmed over the years, most cases of drug abuse start out as an experiment. The cheap thrill of doing something illegal and forbidden is what encourages people to try drugs for the first time. The age and the sense of adventure of youth make them the most vulnerable.
One might be tempted to argue that it is just another bad habit, like biting fingernails or coughing without covering your mouth. Can’t it be quit if one wills to do so? Well, researchers working on various addictive drugs seem to think otherwise and feel that it may be more complicated than that. The human brain is one of the most complex working systems in the world, the functioning of which is not yet fully understood. What we do know is that there are several chemicals, called neurotransmitters, working in tandem to concoct different signals, which are collectively responsible for various control functions. And most drugs have a way of interfering with this chemical balance, disrupting the normal functioning of the brain.
One of the neurotransmitters is a compound called Dopamine. This compound is responsible for controlling the feeling of pleasure. When we do something that makes us ‘happy’, like seeing a child or a walking in the park the dopamine levels in the brain increase. Drugs have a way of increasing the dopamine levels in the brain giving the false sense of elation. And since the brain is also wired to want this kind of feeling, it drives a strong internal craving to repeat this act. These effects last long and affect the ability of clear judgment. Often, there are behavioral changes including depression.
This in no way means that addiction is irreversible and should be treated as a terminal disease. But, the approach has to be scientific and medical intervention is a must. The addict generally suffers from multiple physical, psychological and behavioral disorders, requiring dual diagnosis treatment. This ensures that while the body is recuperating from the effects of drugs, it is also being treated to lose the urge to get back to using them again. The psychological trauma often results in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, making it harder for them to move on and forget the past. This aspect is also taken care of in the PTSD dual treatment programs.
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