Drug Abuse, Addiction, and the Brain

Many people do not understand why people become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterise those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behaviour.

What people often underestimate is the complexity of drug addiction -- that it is a disease that impacts the brain, and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower. Through scientific advances we now know much more about how exactly drugs work in the brain, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and resume productive lives.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs 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 affect a person's self-control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take drugs.

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It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioural therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patients drug abuse patterns and any concurrent medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drugs.

As with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed effectively.Yet, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse does not signal failure; rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted, or that alternate treatment is needed to help the person regain control and recover.

Health Advantages of Playing Sports

 

While the benefits of playing sports are highly promoted for children and teenagers, participating in sports can improve your health throughout your life. You can improve your general fitness through a variety of physical activities, but sports offer unique benefits, whether you're joining a team in elementary school or playing in an adult league.

Emotional and Mental Health

Improving at a sport requires memorization, repetition and learning, and honing these skill sets can carry over into other activities, including your job. Playing a sport also boosts self-esteem. Watching hard work rewarded with improved abilities and better results in competitions proves that you can set goals and achieve them. Additionally, regularly playing a sport cuts down on pressure and stress. Exercising is a natural way to release stress, and having teammates can provide a support system that also can alleviate tension.

Weight Control

Regular physical activity throughout your lifetime can help you control your weight. While you can achieve weight control with solo activities at a gym, playing a sport can motivate you to be more physically active and to push yourself to achieve. Having your team depend on you can encourage you to show up at practices and put in a greater effort preparing for competition than you might on your own.

How to Quit Smoking

Here's a simple step-by-step plan to help you stop smoking.

You decided to stop smoking? Great — it’s one of the best things you can do for your health.

But quitting isn’t easy. Nicotine — the addictive ingredient in tobacco — is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, according to the American Cancer Society, and the average person attempts to quit six times before succeeding.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to set yourself up for success and kick the habit for good.

Set a date: Pick a day and time in the near future that you expect to be relatively stress-free so you can prepare to quit smoking.

Quitting when you have a big project due at work, or even when you have something happy on your calendar like a birthday party (if you tend to light up when you are drinking or socializing), can be more challenging.

Write down your reasons: Consider why you want to stop smoking and jot the reasons down. You can refer to them once you quit when you get a craving. A few universal good ones:

• My risk of cancer, heart attacks, chronic lung disease, stroke, cataracts, and other diseases will drop.
• My blood pressure will go down.
• I’ll look better. My skin will be more hydrated and less wrinkled, my teeth will look less yellow and my fingers won’t be stained with nicotine.
• I’ll save money.
• My hair, clothes, car, and home won’t reek of smoke.
• I’ll have more energy.
• I’ll set a better example for my kids, friends, and family.
• I’ll live longer.

Get your friends and family on board: The more support you have, the more likely you are to quit smoking.

Ask your loved ones to help keep you distracted by taking walks or playing games, and bear with you if you become cranky or irritable as you experience nicotine withdrawal.
Tell any smokers not to smoke around you, or better yet, ask your smoking buddies to quit with you.
Identify your triggers: You’ll be most tempted to smoke during the same times you do now. Knowing your habits and what situations may set off a craving will help you plan ahead for distractions.
For example, you may typically smoke while driving, drinking, or after dinner, or it may be that you reach for a cigarette when you’re feeling stressed, lonely, or depressed.

Create healthy distractions to head off potential smoking triggers. If you smoke while you drive, keep a pack of gum on hand, or if you smoke after dinner, plan to take a walk or chat on the phone with a friend.

Anticipate cravings: It’s expected that you’ll experience nicotine cravings as your body begins to go through withdrawal.

The good news is that cravings aren’t endless. They generally last for five minutes and no longer than 10.
When cravings strike, focus on something else: Drink a glass of water, review your list of reasons for quitting, take deep breaths, play with your cat or dog — do whatever it takes until the craving subsides.
Distract yourself: Keep celery stalks, carrot sticks, nuts, or gum handy to give your mouth something to do when cravings occur.
And finding some way to occupy your hands — knitting, woodworking, cooking, yoga, or yard work — will help keep your mind off smoking.
Expect to feel a little off: Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel anxious, cranky, sad, and even make it hard for you to fall asleep.
It helps to know that all these feelings are a normal and temporary part of the process.

Throw out all your cigarettes: Yes, even that emergency one you stashed away.

If you don’t have cigarettes on hand, it will make it that much easier to stay the course when a craving hits.
Reward yourself: With all the money you’ll save by not buying tobacco, you can buy new clothes, splurge on dinner, or start a new hobby. Some people keep their cigarette money in a jar, then reward themselves with a treat each week.
Talk to your doctor about cessation medications: If you’re not sure you can go cold turkey, don’t.
Speak with your doctor about over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that can make quitting easier.