Drug addiction and treatment
Experimentation during adolescence is normal; there are a number of changes that people have to adjust to. Teens explore their new interests, discover new social structures and adapt to some new physical changes.
Throughout the years of transition there is a greater vulnerability to addiction because of the social changes youth face and the development stages their brains go through.
These stages involve the development of the parts of the brain which are responsible for impulse control and decision-making, including parts which regulate instant gratification and emotional expression.
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The latest research in the neurobiology of addiction points to genetics as a major component of the addiction process.
One example is the deficiency in the gene that is responsible for the D2 subtype of the Dopamine Receptor.
The deficiency acts to make the individual less receptive to the natural ‘feel-good’ effects of Dopamine.
Every person experiences and travels a different road to addiction; peer pressure and bullying, negative upbringings, or even older siblings.
There are ample reasons out there explaining why we are steadily losing the battle against drugs.
Religion, culture and or strong family or personal morals deter many individuals at first from experimenting with substances.
This blog allows us to share information about drug and alcohol abuse, as well as drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation and about our drug and alcohol recovery centre.
There are many reasons why individuals begin taking drugs, and it isn’t uncommon for them to feel alone in their reasons and feelings of anguish.
However, there are common factors that play a role in all abusive behaviour.
The human brain is extremely complex; because it is so delicate and fragile the slightest variation in chemical levels, process or structure has the potential to completely rearrange an individual’s persona, mental reasoning and understanding and in essence cause psychotic behaviour or episodes.
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide commonly known as LSD or acid is a psychedelic drug. This illegal substance, although non-addictive and found to cause no harm to the brain, can lead to acute psychotic reactions such as anxiety, paranoia and delusions.
Alcohol and drug dependency is a sad and ever-growing reality in South Africa.
Accessibility to illegal substances is at an all-time high, with children being exposed to all types of addiction (direct or indirect) from a very young age. Much evidence exists that substance dependency behaviour and its effects are passed down from generation to generation.
The range of drugs available to the average person on the street is alarming; the cost of drugs isn’t much of a problem as there are plenty of drugs available that are more affordable, with longer-lasting effects and with unsurprisingly far worse negative side-effects.
Although a lot of information is available there is little regard of the real impact of substance abuse on our lives. We often get questions to do with identifying what drugs are “bad” or “worse for you” and this is a true indication of how mislead our society truly is.
Much of modern media trivialises the harmful effects of drugs and thereby contributes to an environment where drug abuse is condoned and even encouraged.
Estrangement from society is one of the biggest factors that individuals that struggle with substance abuse face when trying to integrate back into an ordinary or somewhat normal lifestyle post their addiction and rehabilitation treatment.
After an individual accepts and candidly admits their addiction to a substance they are often faced with reactions of distrust and scepticism from their loved ones and their community, these responses are expected as there is a primarily negative stigma attached to the disease of addiction.
Marijuana is often referred to as a soft drug and the popular view is that it is harmless and definitely better for you than alcohol and cigarettes.
Marijuana has many names: Dope, Weed, Cannabis, Zol, Dagga, Spliff, Blunt, Ganja and Mary Jane. It is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide.
Considering the calming and relaxing effect the substance has on its users, it is understandable that many marijuana users believe that the drug is enlightening and even beneficial.
“Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviours.” – American Society of Addiction Medicine Board, April 19, 2011.
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