Why are drugs addictive?

Answer 1

Drugs are addictive because they either mimic or stimulate the production of brain chemicals that cause feelings of pleasure. After a period of time, your brain adjusts to the higher levels of the chemicals, and it becomes necessary to use more drugs to get the same effect.

Eventually, you reach a point where -- due to the changes in the brain -- you need to use the drug to maintain something like normal functioning. At that point, having become dependent on the drugs to function, you experience severe withdrawal symptoms without drugs. These symptoms usually are the opposite of whatever effect the drugs had, and in some cases -- especially tranquilizers and alcohol -- they can be life-threatening.

Answer 2

The brain has natural pleasure sensors that release dopamine. When something good happens or we enjoy a nice meal or even a pleasant exchange with someone, the brain releases dopamine. When drugs are introduced into the body, they stimulate this natural chemical release.

This is where the issue lies physiologically. As more drugs are used, the brain depends on these higher dopamine levels. This then lessens the initial effect or “high” the individual gets. When this happens, the brain reaches a tolerance level for the altered stimulation of dopamine and wants more. Then, more of the drug is needed to achieve the same “high.” This is when the chronic use of drugs begins to develop into an addiction.

Answer 3

Drugs are an addiction due to the effect that they have on the brain and your body.