Held Hostage to Drugs
By abusing drugs, a user artificially increases dopamine levels in their brain, creating a chemically induced sense of calm and well-being. But in the process, they are dramatically altering the way the brain works.
To compensate for the chemical imbalance generated by a drug, the brain will automatically produce less dopamine. At this point, the user will feel flat and lifeless and will need drugs just to bring their dopamine levels back to normal. Furthermore, to get a high, they will need to take an even greater amount of the drug than before (the physiological process known as "tolerance"). Their brain is, in effect, being held hostage to drugs.
No one knows how many times a person can use a drug without becoming addicted in this way. A person's genetic makeup probably plays a role. But after enough doses, most individuals' limbic systems will crave the drug as much as they crave food, water, and friends -- regardless of genetics, gender, or other personal factors.
Nor does it really matter what their drug of choice is. They could use nasal sprays or diet pills, smoke banana peels or marijuana, shoot heroin, abuse prescription painkillers, or take too much aspirin. The drug that induces increased dopamine production may even be an activity, such as shopping or gambling.
Fortunately, despite the loss of control experienced by users, nearly all forms of addiction are treatable. Users can recover through drug addiction therapy, a program of behavior change or modification that slowly retrains their brains.
Whether it's prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or over-the-counter drugs, if you're addicted, your life is out of control, and you're bringing those you love along with you on your downward slide.
If you're serious about discovering and addressing the problem, answer the 12 questions in this self test:
Disclaimer: This self-test cannot diagnose any condition or tell you for certain if your symptoms are harming your health; rather, it is a screening test to determine the likelihood of problematic issues. You should see a professional for further evaluation.
