Drugs (Uses and Abuses)

Drug Addiction:

Taking drugs on the odd occasion is one thing - but having an outright addiction to drugs is certainly another. Many people are unable to tell how it actually it that they become addicted to drugs - because it seemingly happens without their knowledge. However, there are specific scientific mechanisms which can cause drug addictions, and in this article, we will take a look at what these are.
We should begin by saying that everyone has the potential to become a drug addict. Because of the way that drug addiction works in the brain, there is every chance that someone who dabbles in drug taking could become addicted very quickly.
However, the chances of a drug addiction being caused from a sporadic and momentary drug high are slim. Let's take a look at some more facts.
The Brains Role in Drug Addiction:
All addictions, whether it is to drugs, alcohol, or sex, are caused by a response in the brain. More often than not, the pleasurable feelings that are associated and result from the "high" of taking drugs are caused by chemical levels in the brain.

• Serotonin
• Adrenaline
• Nor epinephrine

These are the three main chemicals, which when released in bulk under some conditions (such as when taking drugs), cause the "high" that is so well touted.
After regular episodes where these chemicals are mass produced and allowed to circulate through the system, the body starts to depend on the pleasurable feelings. That is - the brain becomes accustomed to the regular feelings of pleasure, and demands more.
The "demands" of the brain often come in the form of an overwhelming feeling to experience the "high" again, and therefore, the individual affected is the victim of their own bodily functions.

Why is it that some people can do drugs whenever they want, and never get addicted - whilst someone else can do them once, and get immediately hooked? The answer seems to be in the complex workings of brain chemistry.
Until we have more facts and research on this topic, it is difficult to give a conclusive answer as to exactly what the reasons for the above phenomena are. However, one thing is for sure. Taking drugs, no matter how often, is a major risk factor for a drug addiction.Effects of Drug Abuse on the Body:
The human body is a delicate, well formed, and extremely complicated set-up of components and processes, working in harmony with each other to ensure the health and safety of the body itself. It is by far the most advanced "thing" on earth, and we are only part of the way through learning and discovering how the inner workings of the body function.
Obviously, when someone has a drug addiction, there are changes which happen within the body. As research has shown, there are two main types of changes which occur:

• Psychological changes
• Physiological changes

Psychological Changes:
The psychological changes - are the fastest changes to occur. They are the main reasons that people take the substances in the first place. You may have heard many drugs referred to as being "mind altering" - and this is exactly the same phrase used for psychological changes.
The second is physiological change - or in other words, physical changes which happen within the body. Unfortunately, these changes are not so obvious immediately after a substance is taken (other than common physical changes such as energy levels, etc). Also unfortunate is that these changes are the most dangerous - and they are the ones which cause long term damage to the body.
Physical Changes:

The most fundamental reason why drugs and illicit substances (including alcohol) are bad for you is their effect on the brain. Every single time one of these substances is used, there are a huge number of brain cells which are killed in the process.
The reason for this brain cell massacre is clear. Drugs often prevent information from flowing to and from one particular part of the brain. This cut off causes the pleasurable feelings that you get when using illicit substances, but the mechanism is the danger.
By cutting off the supply of oxygen to certain parts of the brain, and by killing brain cells in the process, there are less brain cells left overall. Simple neuroscience tells us that it is very difficult for the brain to grow new connections and cells whilst drugs are present - and hence, the long term effect of a drug addiction can be highly dangerous.
Over time, the number of brain cells killed mounts up - and if chronic drug abuse is present, these changes will be irreversible.
References:
Drug Addiction