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How Does Drug Addiction Affect Your Brain?

Addiction has a significant impact on the brain. When adrenaline, cigarettes, opioids, alcohol, and tranquillizers are used, the chemical substances reach the brain and circulatory system. Whenever anyone forms an addiction to a substance, it’s that chemical release that the brain craves. Repeated use can create a reward pattern that cements the addiction. Let’s look at how this works.

How It Develops

The nervous system controls temperature, emotion, judgment, respiration, and synchronization. This central organ of the body influences physical sensations, desires, compulsive behaviors, and habits. Drugs like Benzodiazepines or opium can alter the function of their brain while under its effects. Drugs interfere with the limbic center of the brain cause immense craving, influencing both the person’s mind and body. People use narcotics to sustain the positive sensations produced, resulting in a loop of substance use and extreme highs. They ultimately take drugs to function normally.

The Repeated Influence Of Drugs

Our minds are hardwired to ensure that we repeat survival tasks, such as drinking, by connecting such behaviors with emotions of wellbeing. People learn to take drugs the same way because drugs enter and remotely control the same system. The brain begins to adapt to serotonin spikes after chronic drug use. Nerve cells may decrease the number of dopamine neurotransmitters or produce less serotonin.

Long Term Effects

Drug usage can cause radical changes in neurons and cerebral systems. These effects may linger after the use of drugs has been stopped. This is a direct result of continued use of drugs for a long time. However, drug use can also affect your heart, lungs, digestive system, liver, teeth, and more. This means that people with severe addictions may need specialized healthcare for years after recovery. If you’re someone who has been taking drugs for a long time, it may be time to seek professional help. Get addiction treatment at M.D. MATT is a suboxone clinic in White Marsh. We provide group therapy as well as medication-assisted treatment. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.