People often wonder why anyone would want to become addicted to a harmful substance such as drugs. Why would anyone even start using a substance that could potentially get them hooked? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to these questions, and it’s important to have a holistic view of the situation and its complex layers to develop an understanding.
According to an experienced addiction interventionist in Tampa, here’s how a drug addiction begins:
The first hit
Humans are incredibly intelligent, but they’re also rather hedonistic. We tend to pursue things that feel pleasurable and seem fun, like tasty drinks and food, comfortable environments, and fun activities. Every time your brain learns of something pleasurable, it stores the memory of that experience as a source of ‘feeling good.’ A healthy brain can store that feeling away and continue moving on with life, but a person who consumes drugs will experience things differently.
The brain releases a lot more dopamine than it should, altering brain chemistry and blocking the reabsorption of this ‘feel good’ chemical. This causes a prolonged feeling of euphoria or happiness. Being hedonistic, the person keeps craving for more of that good feeling until they reach a point where nothing but the drug can make them feel happy.
Risk factors
People are more likely to get addicted to drugs because of:
- Hereditary links
- Easy access to drugs
- Poor mental health
- Family history of being addicted to drugs
- Stressful lifestyle
- Environmental exposure to drugs
Common symptoms of drug addiction
Some symptoms of drug addiction include:
- Feeling like you need the drug several times a day
- Having an intense urge for drugs, strong enough to block out other thoughts
- Needing more of a drug to get a similar effect over time
- Spending money on drugs even though you don’t have the financial ability to do so
- Failing in your attempt to stop using
Battling with drug addiction? A recovery coach in Tampa can help
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction and wants to improve themselves, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. The longer an addiction goes on, the more difficult it is to break free. Kathy McKnight is a certified transformational life coach who can use her powers of deduction and empathy to help people who are addicted to drugs recognize their issues and work towards building a better future for themselves.
She also provides family counseling services and business coaching in Tampa.