Drug addiction is a brain disease because it leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most, people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time, the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can impair a person’s self control and ability to make sound decision. At the same time, it can create an intensive impulse to take drugs.
Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroine have similar structures to chemical messengers called neurotransmitters which are naturally produced by the brain. Because of this similarity, these drugs are able to ‘’fool’’ the brain’s receptors and activate nerve cells to send abnormal messages.
Drug addiction can be a preventable disease. Although many cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, when youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug intake.
It is necessary, therefore, to help youths and the general public to understand the risks of drug abuse and for teachers, parents and health care professionals to keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if a person never abuses drugs.
Also Read:
Codeine is most abused drug in Nasarawa ―NDLEA
and then