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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Coggle Diagram
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Why do people take drugs?
To feel good.
Drugs can produce intense feelings of pleasure
This initial euphoria is followed by other effects
differ with the type of drug used
With cocaine:
Fellings of:
power
Self-confidence
Increased energy
By opioids
Is followed by feelings of
Relaxation
Satisfaction
To feel better
Some people who suffer from
social anxiety
start using drugs to try to feel less anxious
stress
Continuing drug use as well as relapse
(return to drug use)
In patients recovering from addiction.
depression
To do better
This can play a role in trying or continuing to use drugs
Some people feel pressure to improve their focus in
School
Job
Sports
Curiosity and social pressure
In this respect, teens are particularly at risk
Peer pressure can be very strong
Adolescence is a developmental period
Presence of risk factors
Such as peers who use drugs
May lead to substance use.
How do drugs work in the brain?
Drugs interfere with the way neurons
send, receive, and process signals
Via neurotransmitters.
Some drugs
Such as marijuana and heroin
Can activate neurons
Because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter
These drugs mimic the brain’s own chemicals
They don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter
They lead to abnormal messages being sent through the network.
Other drugs
Such as amphetamine or cocaine
Can cause the neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters
Or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals
By interfering with transporters.
This too amplifies or disrupts the normal communication between neurons.
What are the other health consequences of drug addiction?
People with addiction:
have one or more associated health issues
could include:
Lung disease
Heart disease
Stroke
Cancer
Menthal health conditions
Tobacco smoke can cause many cancers
Methamphetamine can cause severe dental problems
Known as meth mouth
Opioids can lead to overdose and death
Some drugs, such as inhalants
May damage or destroy nerve cells
In the brain or the peripheral nervous system
The nervous system outside the brain
Spinal cord
Drug use can also
Increase the risk of contracting infections.
HIV and hepatitis C
Can occur from sharing injection equipment or from unsafe practices
Infection of the heart and its valves
Can occur after exposure to bacteria by injection drug use.
Skin infection