How might substance use disorder affect me?

How might substance use disorder affect me?

Drugs affect the brain, especially the “reward center” of the brain.

Humans are biologically motivated to seek rewards. Often, these rewards come from healthy behaviors. When you spend time with a loved one or eat a delicious meal, your body releases a chemical called dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. It becomes a cycle: You seek out these experiences because they reward you with good feelings.

Drugs send massive surges of dopamine through the brain, too. But instead of feeling motivated to do the things you need to survive (eat, work, spend time with loved ones), such massive dopamine levels can lead to damaging changes that change thoughts, feelings and behavior. That can create an unhealthy drive to seek pleasure from the drug and less from more healthy pleasurable experiences. The cycle revolves around seeking and consuming drugs to get that pleasurable feeling.

Addiction to drugs changes the brain over time. It affects how the brain works and even the brain’s structure. That’s why healthcare providers consider substance use disorder a brain disease.

The first use of a drug is a choice. But addiction can develop, creating a very dangerous condition. Drugs affect your decision-making ability, including the decision to stop drug use.

You may be aware there’s a problem but unable to stop. With addiction, stopping drug use can be physically uncomfortable. It can make you sick and even become life-threatening.