Finally, addiction may occur when the opioid has activated the reward pathway of the brain and the person has a very strong urge to continue use even though there is no medical necessity. Often, people who are addicted to opioids are also dependent and will go through withdrawal if they discontinue the opioid. With repeated use, the person will very likely become dependent on the opioid regardless of the purpose for use.
However, the person may not be addicted to the opioid in terms of seeking a euphoric effect. Addiction occurs when a compulsive urge to use more opioids to activate the reward pathway of the brain takes over.
Since anyone taking opioids will become dependent on them and will go through withdrawal when the opioid is removed —many people who may not necessarily be addicted to opioids may present as so. For instance, a person taking an opioid for back pain for a long period of time will consistently need more of the opioid to achieve pain relief.
Therefore, the person may appear like they are addicted to the opioid, however, they have simply just become dependent on the opioid. Therefore, it may be difficult to differentiate between opioid dependence and true opioid addiction.
Addiction to opioids is a very complex disease process, involving many different variables. Opioids have a high likelihood of abuse, simply because they impact key areas of the brain responsible for positive reinforcement and reward.
The long-term effects of opioids on the brain remain unclear. Physical and structural function may return to baseline following long-term use.
However, opioid use may have profound psychological effects that can continue for many years following discontinuation. Fortunately, through counseling and medication-assisted treatment programs, recovery is possible. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Opioids and the Brain Opioids are powerful drugs that act on the central nervous system in order to provide pain relief.
The genetics of the opioid system and specific drug addictions. Check your answers on the possible answers page. Topic 3: Classifying drugs 3. Comments will be used to improve web content and will not be responded to. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. It will be used to make improvements to this website.
Table of contents Section A. Section B. Topic 2: Introduction to how drugs work. Topic 3: Classifying drugs. Topic 4: How psycho-active drugs act on the body. Topic 5: How drugs move through the body. Topic 6: Drug effects.
Topic 7: Effects of specific psycho-active drugs. CNS depressants slow brain activity. CNS depressants, such as opioid painkillers, serve important medical purposes when taken in low doses. If doses are too high or if these drugs are combined with other depressants drugs, such as alcohol, the risk of a potentially fatal overdose is great.
These CNS depressants are often abused for recreational purposes and frequently seen in overdoses:. When any of the above substances are taken in combination with each other, the depressant effects on the nervous system are compounded. If the nervous system is overwhelmed by messages to slow breathing and heart rate, you may stop breathing and your heart may stop beating altogether. Studies have found that most people who are treated for a drug overdose are likely to be discharged from the hospital within one to two days.
While the acute symptoms of an overdose can be treated, there are lasting effects of an overdose that can linger. A recent study found that patients who were treated for an overdose due to CNS depressant drugs were significantly impaired in the following domains compared to the control group who had not experienced an overdose:. Research has found three main ways that certain drugs, such as methamphetamine, can cause physiological and biochemical damage to the brain and nervous system.
Long-term damage includes the following issues:. Long-term exposure to drugs that alter neurotransmitters and brain cells can cause irreversible damage. However, most of the brain dysfunction is likely to be reversed with abstinence over time.
Damage to the nervous system is not likely to heal quickly, taking up to 18 months of sober living for many people to make a full recovery. Prolonged drug use can cause long-term damage to the nervous system that manifests in the form of co-occurring conditions.
These are additional symptoms of prolonged drug abuse on the nervous system that are not necessarily associated with an overdose:. The above physical and mental health conditions are likely to occur with extended use of any substances that interfere with the normal functioning of your nervous system.
The occurrence of these conditions is often progressive and gets worse with continued and more severe drug use. Many of these conditions can be treated, especially once drug use is stopped. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are very common in people with extended drug use. Abstinence coupled with appropriate counseling can alleviate most mental health symptoms.
Appropriate medical care can improve weakened immune systems and treat or monitor medical complications that arose as a result of drug use. With time, damage to the nervous system is expected to reverse itself in most people. Fortunately, CNS repair is possible. Whether treating CNS injury due to substance abuse or neurological disease, it is possible to repair damage caused to the CNS.
0コメント