Created by: WellHubApp
Addiction
a chronic relapsing behavior despite negative consquences; the overwhelming urge to continue something you know is bad for you.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in your brain. It plays a role as a “reward center” and in many body functions, including memory, movement, motivation, mood, attention and more.
Dopamine.
Scientists have discovered that dopamine doesn't just make you feel happy; it helps your brain remember fun experiences.
When drugs increase dopamine, they're telling your brain to remember the event.
This is why you might want drugs again if you go back to a place where you used them before, even if you've stopped using them for a long time.
Dopamine's Message...
"Do it again!"
Drugs overstimulate your brains "reward center" by releasing a flood of synthetic or “fake” dopamine. This creates a euphoric high. But then when this feeling goes away the person "crashes" and can feel worse when the high vanishes.
Your brain links the feeling to the drug use, routines, and surrounding cues, and wants more.
Drugs & Dopamine
Brain Chemistry Changes
As a person continues to use the drug, their brain chemistry changes and now it needs the extra dopamine.
Regular things don't make you feel as happy anymore, only the drug can do that. You also need more and more of the drug to feel the same effects.
When not taking the drug, the brain feels bad—like being anxious or grumpy. People then want to take the drug again just to stop feeling upset.
This cycle is what makes addiction so challening to overcome, and the younger you are when you start, the easier it is to train your brain to need the drug.
Addiction Cycle
There are several local and national resources to help individuals battling addiction as well as help for family members.
Swipe up to learn more about the resouces closest to you.