The science behind drug addiction and how they affect adolescent lives.

By: Mridhulaa Rajagopal

Drugs. They can just be a common prescription from your doctor, or addicting, life-threatening narcotics. In general, drugs are defined as any chemical substance that affects the functioning or causes a change in an organism's psychology or physiology when ingested. Drugs' effects can be both beneficial and harmful depending on the type and its purpose. 

What is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease that drug users face when they find their use compulsive, or difficult to control or stop, despite their side effects and harmful outcomes. The main cause of addiction is the repeated use of drugs. The constant use of drugs causes a feel-good chemical called dopamine to be released in the brain causing pleasure. This sensation causes people to 'crave' the drug making them use it again and again. Such repeated drug use can result in brain changes that oppose a person's self-control and interferes with the person's ability to withstand the strong urges to take drugs. When the cravings don't stop and occur again and again without control, the user finds themselves addicted and unable to stop using the drug. 

These changes in the brain can be persistent, which is why people recovering from drug addictions are at severe risk of getting back into the habit even after many years of not taking the drug. this is the main reason why drug addiction is believed to be a 'relapsing' disease. 

As a person continues to use drugs, their brain tends to adapt to them by reducing the number of cells that respond to the drug by releasing dopamine and sensations of euphoria. This is why a person doesn't feel as much pleasure with the same dose that they took when they used the drug for the first time—an effect known as tolerance. In order to feel the same amount of pleasantness, people tend to take higher doses of the drug to achieve it. Such adaptations of the brain make the person lesser able to get the same pleasure from other activities they enjoy doing like eating their favorite food or engaging in other social activities.

How drugs affect adolescents

Most children experience dramatic growth in their adolescent years, both physically and mentally. The young brains, especially the peripheral cortex—used for making decisions—are still developing, till their mid 20’s. Constant drug usage can cause brain health issues that can result in addiction and other mental problems. Once a teen is addicted, their brain makes the drugs a top priority making the teen seek the drug continuously despite knowing the harsh consequences that it will cause in their life.

Even after weeks of quitting, the young brains might struggle to work correctly due to the absence of the drug. This has a huge risk of escalating into drug dependence issues after becoming an adult when the person feels compelled to use drugs in order to function normally in their lives.

Adolescent years are also the prime years of a person’s life that sets them ready for their future. When drugs are introduced at this time, teens might completely find themselves ignoring normal pleasures and seeking drugs when addicted. Youths around the world are participating in world-changing programs and opportunities, and thus have a great potential to positively bring a change in the world. Drugs also have potential. To completely ruin the lives of the users and make them fall into mental health issues and other problems in their lives.

What can we do to help and how can this be stopped?

Educating the youth and their parents about the potential risk factors, dangers, and effects of narcotics and other drugs can greatly increase their awareness of the issue and prevent them from using substances that cause massive destruction in their lives.

Parents can provide their children with the stability, guidance, and support they need during such tough times of addiction. Parents who are more aware of this issue can help out their affected children by talking to them and helping them go through the process of quitting. Parents of non-drug-using children can help them understand the seriousness of addiction and drugs which will significantly lower the number of children using drugs.

People in general, if they find or know someone who is suffering from drug addiction can help them contact rehabilitation or resource centers to solve their addiction issues. Everyone can help play a role in solving this problem if they wish to do so. Even a small conversation can help save many lives.