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Understanding Drug Addiction


​ What is addiction?
​Addiction is a chronic disease defined by a reward circuit in your brain causing you to want to use drugs again and again.
​ 
How does your brain get you addicted to drugs?
Most drugs affect the reward circuit of your brain by sending the chemical messenger dopamine to it. This reward system controls your body to feel satisfaction and prompts your body to feel the satisfaction again. Typically, taking drugs causes a "rush", the reward system prompts your body to keep feeling the rush. The over-stimulation of the reward system can cause people to use drugs again and again. Addictions can be an extremely hard thing to get over and if your a family member, friend, or loved one is to intervene and do your best to constantly watch them to try to help. 


Why is addiction so hard to overcome?


Additional Resources:
"What is Addiction" from the American Psychiatric Association
​"What is Addiction" from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
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  • Home
  • Resources for Loved Ones
    • Signs and Symptoms
    • Helping a Loved One
  • Resources for the Community
    • Talking to Your Kids
    • Needle Traffic Database
    • Encountering Drug Paraphernalia >
      • Ashland Police Department
      • Boyd County Health Department
  • Resources for Addicts
    • Local Rehab Resources
    • Tips for Staying Clean
  • Needle Traffic Database