Drug Dependence

Drug dependence is characterized by a preoccupation with using and obtaining drugs, and the necessity to get high in order to function normally. At this stage, drug addicts can be controlled by drugs, and the things that they used to enjoy in life, such as spending time with family and recreational activities, start to lose importance. Surprisingly, many people are able to maintain a job, family and other responsibilities while being addicted to drugs. Others fall hard to the power of drugs and either end up homeless, deceased or going to rehab.

How Drugs Affect the Brain

Dependence to drugs has a lot to do with how drugs affect the brain. When people take drugs, certain chemicals are released into the brain that alter the way that cells process, send and receive information. With certain drugs such as heroin and marijuana, chemicals in the drugs are so similar to the natural chemicals in the brain that they are received the same way. However, since they are altered, receptors in the brain process the information differently, creating a high. The chemicals in the drugs are basically tricking the brain into processing the information the same way and this can produce overwhelming feelings of euphoria.

With other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, large amounts of dopamine are released into the brain. Dopamine has an effect on the reward center of the brain and is associated with pleasure, other emotions, and movement. The brain has its own natural way of releasing dopamine through other pleasurable activities, and altering this process can have negative long-term effects. After repeated use, a person becomes so used to receiving large amounts of dopamine at once that the normal amount is no longer sufficient. To compensate, they seek out more drugs and continue to get high. Just as with drugs like heroin and marijuana, the brain begins to respond differently to the altered messages, and the normal process that occurs in the reward center is altered.

Withdrawal & Dependency

At this stage, a person develops a drug addiction, and the drug user begins to feel mental withdrawal symptoms when they are not on the drug. These symptoms include depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, irritability, and the lack of interest in activities or the inability to feel pleasure from normal activities without being high. Depending upon the drug being used, physical withdrawal symptoms can also occur. The most common symptoms are nausea, tremors, cold sweats and can be as severe as seizures and cardiac arrest.

Young Drug Use & Dependency

Studies have shown that people who experiment with drugs and alcohol at a young age are much more likely than those who begin drinking or taking drugs at age 21 or older. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 90 percent of Americans that have a dependence to drugs started smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, or taking other drugs before age 18. With this in mind, the best way to treat drug addiction is through prevention. By teaching young people about the dangers of drug abuse and drug dependence through educational classes, they can learn about how drugs affect the brain and body. Through showing the severe and often disturbing effects that substances can have on a drug addict, young people will have a better idea of what they may be getting themselves into and hopefully think twice about using drugs.