Most psychoactive substances are physically addictive, making it impossible to exist without drugs or alcohol. How does this happen?
Addiction to psychoactive substances, including alcohol, is not only caused by the feelings of euphoria or the illusion of relief from tension and problems. Most psychoactive substances are physically addictive. They gradually change the biochemical processes in the body in such a way that it is no longer able to do without them. This process is sometimes called the development of a “chemical dependency”.
When does physical addiction occur?
Physical dependence on a psychoactive substance does not form immediately. At first, the drug is taken once or very infrequently – usually for fun. If the use of a psychoactive substance continues, a psychological dependence on the substance gradually forms. In this case, the person is able to stop taking the drug or alcohol without feeling discomfort. But he does not do this, because the drug has already become a habitual outlet for stressful situations, problems in communication or to relieve emotional tension. Gradually the person’s mood and well-being begin to decline in the absence of the drug – so the intervals between taking it become shorter. Then a physical dependence on the drug develops. And now a person takes it no longer in order to experience a state of euphoria, as pleasant feelings from the psychoactive substance, almost disappear. The next dose of the drug or alcohol is needed in order to get rid of the excruciating symptoms of withdrawal syndrome, or “withdrawal”. When physical dependence on a substance has developed, a person cannot independently stop taking it regularly.
The “chemistry” of pleasure
The work of the human brain depends on special substances that are called neurotransmitters or neurohormones. Among them is a group of substances called endorphins, the pleasure hormones. A certain level of endorphins is needed to balance the processes of excitation and inhibition in the brain, as well as to regulate positive and negative emotions. Normally, the human body produces a sufficient amount of endorphins. The level of endorphins in the brain can fluctuate and it determines whether a person is in an elevated or depressed mood.
How does physical dependence develop?
Many psychoactive substances act on the nervous system in the same way as natural endorphins. But their dose is always many times higher than the natural level of these neurohormones. Other substances, such as alcohol, stimulate a powerful release of endorphins in the brain itself. As a result of this release, a person with a lowered mood background begins to feel joy, and a person who was just in a good mood begins to feel real euphoria. After all, the amount of endorphins received by the brain due to the psychoactive substance is much higher than the norm, which means that the experienced sensations are stronger than usual. A person remembers his positive feelings and wants to try the psychoactive substance again – in order to cope with a bad mood or to experience strong positive emotions again. But the emotion centers in the brain also “remember” the effect of a massive dose of endorphins from outside. If the drug intake is repeated, the nervous system begins to rebuild itself. It adapts to the new, increased dose of endorphins.
What is “withdrawal”?
Endorphins regulate not only emotions and feelings of pleasure. They are also a natural pain reliever, allowing the body to feel comfortable. If the psychoactive substance stops flowing and acting, the nervous system falters. And since their own endorphins are no longer produced, the person feels severe depression, emptiness, despair, loss of strength and even pain throughout the body. Thus the desire for a new dose of the drug at this stage of addiction becomes uncontrollable. Now the person no longer cares about the feeling of euphoria from the drug – he urgently needs to get rid of painful symptoms. Gradually the dose of the psychoactive substance required to restore the nervous system becomes higher and the withdrawal symptoms become more severe. All psychoactive substances act on the brain in a similar way, so there are no drugs that can cause “more” or “less” addiction.
Most importantly.
Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry in a way that makes normal nervous system function impossible without it. If you stop taking a psychoactive substance, brain function will recover, but the first time you take a drug will reverse the process – back to physical dependence.