Definition of Drug Addiction
For a general definition we can say that drug addiction is the compulsive
use of certain drugs to the point that the user has lost the ability to
cease using the drug. The relative addiction of each drug is different
in terms of its chemical compound and also varies from person to person.
For example, a drug such as codeine requires more exposure to form an
addiction than does cocaine or heroin. Alcohol is also classified as a
drug, and similar to codeine requires more frequent use to become addictive.
One person may also be more psychologically or genetically predisposed
to addiction than another, and this may not be known until after the person
is addicted.
Addiction to a drug (including alcohol) usually has two separate components:
a psychological and a physical dependency. From a psychological standpoint,
an addict uses drugs to kill or mask pain, to feel pleasure, or to relieve
stress. From a physical perspective, a drug addict uses to feel "normal"
because the body has been so used to the presence of the drug that without
it the person will begin to have withdrawal symptoms.
What Causes Addiction to a Drug or Alcohol?
It is generally accepted that drug addiction is biological in nature.
Addiction to a drug is believed to be created by a changing of the brain's
reward functions. The part of the brain that is affected is responsible
for behaviors such as eating, exercise and social interaction. When the
drug hits this portion of the brain, known as the mesolimbic dopamine
system, excessive levels of dopamine are released causing a general feeling
of euphoria, or otherwise called a "high". Over an extended
period of time, these short-term "highs" can create long-term
effects. As the brain experiences these periods of greater than normal
dopamine release, the resultant brain reactions become more severe. Continued
use of the drug causes the drug user to use more and more of the drug
to have the same level of pleasure, until the use of the drug dominates
the normal day-to-day life experiences. Finally, the drug completely takes
over the persons rational thought processes, and life cannot continue
without the use of the drug.
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Different Drugs, Different Reactions
Each drug has a unique effect on the body. Some drugs are classified
as depressants. Examples of this drug class include alcohol, benzodiazepines,
morphine, and methadone. These work by mimicking endorphins that are produced
naturally by the body. This drug class relaxes the body and relieves pain.
Another general drug class includes stimulants. Examples of this drug
class include amphetamines and methamphetamines ("meth"), nicotine
and caffeine.
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