What happens to the brain of someone who takes drugs?
Most drugs alter the brain's reward circuit, which floods it in the chemical messenger dopamine. This makes you feel good. Good reward systems keep people doing good things, such as eating healthy and spending quality time with their loved ones. Dopamine spikes in the reward system reinforce bad behaviours, such as using drugs. This causes people to do the same behaviour over and again.
People who continue using drugs experience brain changes that make it harder for reward circuit cells to react. This results in a person feeling less high than they did before they tried the drug. This is called tolerance. You might also try to get the same high with more drug. These brain changes can make it difficult for people to enjoy the same pleasures as they once did, such as food, sex and social activities.
Signs of dependency include: The urge to consume the substance every day or several times per day. Doing more than you desire and taking the medication for a longer period of time than expected. No matter your financial situation, you should always have the medication with yourself. You may use drugs even if they cause problems at your workplace or make you angry at your family members. Spending more time by yourself. Don't care about your appearance, or take time to look after yourself. Harmful behaviours, including lying and theft. Spending most your time using, procuring, or recovering from the effects. Feeling nauseated when you attempt to quit.