There are many factors that could indicate whether a person will become addicted to drugs. The risk of addiction is affected by many factors, including genetic, environmental and developmental. A person's risk factors will influence how likely they are to become addicted to drugs.
Your brain is wired to search for similar situations to what makes you feel good. You will be motivated to repeat these acts frequently.
You brain's reward system is the target of drugs that could lead to addiction. Your brain gets large amounts of the chemical dopamine. This causes a state of happiness that can only be described as total happiness. You continue taking the drug to try and get there again.
Your brain will start to adapt to the higher levels of dopamine. You may have to consume more medication to achieve the same effect. Additionally, once enjoyable activities such as eating and spending time together with family might no longer be so pleasurable.
To put it another way, if opioids are used to treat pain regularly, there is a risk that you will develop a tolerance or become physically dependent. This does NOT mean that you are suffering from a dependency problem. A small fraction of people will become dependent on opioids, even when prescribed properly and under the guidance of a physician.
The Impact on Your Mind: Your brain has a hardwired tendency to desire similar situations that can lead to positive emotions. This will motivate you to take these actions again and then again.
Addiction medications target the reward system of your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is often sent to your brain in large numbers. It creates a feeling of bliss that cannot be described. The medication is continued to be taken in an effort to recreate that feeling.
If you take drugs for a long time, they can cause brain chemical changes and circuit disruptions. You may experience problems with your judgment, decision-making ability, memory, and learning ability. These brain changes can make it difficult to resist the urge to use drugs in ways you cannot control.
Which are the most likely to develop an addiction? Each person has a unique body and brain. Different people respond to drugs differently. Some people feel the drug's effects immediately and want more. Some people hate it and won't try it again.
But not everyone who takes drugs is addicted. However, anyone can become addicted to drugs at any time and at any stage of life. A family history can increase your chance of falling prey to addiction. Your chances of falling prey to addiction are approximately half due to your genes. If you have a parent or sibling who has had issues with drugs or alcohol, your chances of falling prey to them are much higher. Both men and woman are equally vulnerable to addiction. Early drug usage is the best. Children's brains still grow, and drug abuse can cause them to become addicted. If you begin using drugs in your youth, you may become more addicted as you age. Mental disorders. An increased risk of becoming addicted is for those who are depressed or have trouble paying close attention. In an attempt to feel better, you might look into drugs. A history of trauma in the past can increase your chances of developing an addiction. Troubled relationships. Addiction can increase if you grow up in a family with problems and you're not close to your siblings.
Signs that indicate addiction: You might have one or more or all of the following symptoms: An urge to use the drug daily or frequently. You're taking more drug than you wish to and for longer amounts than you thought. Always having the drug on you and purchasing it even if your budget is tight. You shouldn't use drugs if you have to work in trouble or if you feel like you need them. Spending less time with others. Not taking good care of yourself. Stealing, lying, doing dangerous things such as driving while high or engaging in unsafe sex. Spending most your time using, getting high or recovering from drug-related side effects. Sickness when you try and quit.
Development. Dependence on addiction can be determined by how genetic and environment variables interact with key developmental phases. Addiction can occur at any age. However, drug use is more likely to lead to addiction the sooner it is started. This is especially dangerous for adolescents. As adolescents are still growing in the brain regions that control decision-making, judgement and self-control, they may be more prone to engaging illicit activities like drug use.
What kinds of brain changes can people experience when they take drugs?