Why can some medications lead to addiction? 0 15

There are two common explanations for drug addiction, but neither withstands scrutiny. The first asserts that compulsive use of these substances is a bad habit that addicts need to break. However, a habit for our brain is the ability to repeat certain actions in a given sequence, such as brushing teeth or tying shoelaces. Usually, people do not find themselves in an endless cycle of tooth brushing that is extremely difficult to escape without outside help.

The second theory suggests that many addicts are unable to overcome withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal is an extremely unpleasant state that occurs when the drug leaves the body and can manifest as sweating, chills, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat. In some cases, such as alcohol abuse, withdrawal can pose a life-threatening risk if not properly managed.

Painful withdrawal symptoms are often cited as the reason people develop addiction. However, even for heroin, withdrawal symptoms typically disappear after about two weeks. Moreover, many addictive drugs have relatively mild withdrawal symptoms. This does not mean that pleasure, habits, or withdrawal do not affect addiction. But are they necessary components of addiction—or will it persist even in the absence of these factors?

In one study, the authors examined a small part of the amygdala—a structure in the brain known for its role in fear and emotions. The researchers found that activation of this area led rats to exhibit more addictive behavior: narrowing their focus, rapidly increasing cocaine consumption, and even obsessively gnawing at the compartment from which the drug is delivered. This subregion of the brain may also play a role in human addiction.

When using such substances, the brain's “reward system” becomes hyper-reactive, and the person begins to experience bouts of “craving” that compel them to use drugs again and again. To a large extent, the propensity for such behavior depends on genetic and psychological factors, but is ultimately determined by changes in the brain that occur after drug use.

In many cases, a person suffering from addiction does not lack willpower. They are aware of and see the pain and suffering they cause to others. Addiction creates cravings that a person very rarely can manage alone.