Drug addiction affects how the neurons in the brain receive, process and send signals to the body. However, since there are different kinds of drugs, the effects may also vary in the way the drug interferes with the brain’s chemical structure.

Some drugs may activate and overstimulate the brain’s reward circuit. There are also drugs that imitate the natural brain chemicals, which send mixed, or abnormal signals to the body. Getting a detox in Spring Hill is the best way to flush out even the traces of drugs from your system.

When Your Brain Gets “High”

Drug users get a kind of rush, or “high” when they inhale, inject, or smoke illegal substances. Cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine have this effect on the brain, which causes the user to feel some pleasure, or reward so that they take the drugs over and over.

In a normal brain function, a chemical called dopamine is released whenever a person is doing pleasurable activities. This chemical allows him to feel happiness, satisfaction, and contentment. 

However, in a drug-addicted brain the dopamine released by the brain comes in surges, or large amounts, which reinforces that the user must derive pleasure from it repeatedly. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as drugs tend to “hijack” the brain’s circuit, the neurons fail to function normally or die, thus reducing the volume of dopamine in the brain. This is how addiction becomes uncontrollable – the user seeks the drugs to feel that rush and pleasure again and again.

According to Harvard Health, one in 10 Americans are addicted to some form of drugs. And while people usually don’t plan to get addicted, it’s hard for many users to shake off this dependency. This is why some scientists believe that addiction is hard-wired in the brain.

Getting Sober

A safe and manageable process for removing drugs in a person’s system is called detoxification. This is the very first step to getting sober, or getting treated for drug addiction, as detoxification flushes away all the toxins from the drugs in the body. 

But, every user’s experience with detox is different as the type of drugs and the length of addiction are significant factors for this process to succeed. Detoxification manifests symptoms of withdrawals from the drugs and sometimes these symptoms may last for months, or be quite severe for others.

According to the journal Substance Abuse Rehabilitation, detoxification from too much cannabis use, for instance, may cause withdrawal symptoms like: 

  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Aggression
  • Depression
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Stomach pains

Meanwhile, drugs like cocaine or nicotine do not usually cause serious withdrawal symptoms. However, opioid withdrawal symptoms may entail persistent depressive disorders, pupillary dilation, and other life-threatening conditions, per the NCBI Bookshelf. 

Consult Dr. Alsabbagh for a detox in Brooksville 

Regardless of the symptoms, consult Dr. Eyad Alsabbagh – an experienced doctor in the field of pain management and addiction – prior to starting the detoxification process. This is to ascertain the health and safety of the drug dependent. While some patients prefer to go cold-turkey or to do a self-detox, there can be great risks. Medical assistance is crucial during the detoxification, especially for long-time users as it reduces the chances of relapsing, or experiencing serious complications. 

While detoxification is a necessary step in curing drug addiction, it alone is not enough for a full recovery. This process only addresses the first aspect of addiction, which is cleansing the body and helping the brain return to its normal functions. The next step includes a variety of comprehensive treatment program that can help you recover.

For more information on detox in Spring Hill, or to schedule an appointment, Contact Us.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.