Shikha SaxenaOct 4·4 min read

Substance Abuse is Injurious to Physical and Mental Health

Excessive usage of drugs or chemicals effect the functioning and decision making abilities, by taking control over, brain. Awareness regarding how substance abuse hijacks brain reward function, to cause addiction, is an eyeopener. Mechanism of brain reward function and its blockage by excessive substance use, is quite interesting and good to know for you and your loved ones.

What is addiction?

Being in habit or excessive use of something regularly is an addiction. Its an neurological disorder that needs to be curbed to control brain from being hijacked by external sources.

Types of substance that can cause addiction

Following are the group of substances that may be used to alter brain functions when misused or used in excess:

1. Drug addiction

2. Solvent use (eg, Aerosols and Glue)

3. Alcohol use (eg, Wine, Gin, Vodka)

4. Chemical use (eg, Narcotics)

5. Habit (constant habit of any activity)

6. Pain medication (eg, Fentanyl Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen)

7. Illegal drug use (eg, Cannabis, Cocaine, LSD, Heroin, Ecstasy)

8. Prescription drug use (prescription medication meant for patients)

9. Novel Psychoactive substance use (“legal highs” misuse)

Reward System of Brain

Reward system of the brain reinforces important behaviors as eating, drinking, walking, social interaction and other bodily functions and remind us of those functions as and when need arises.

For example we reach for food when we are hungry. After meal we feel good as the need of food is satisfied. This activity is repeated by us when the need of food arise or in other words when we feel hungry and this is memorable and we do the same function again and feel good. This reward system of brain is hijacked in presence of drugs. It means drugs mask this function of feel good and natural needs are turned into drug needs.

Mechanism of rewarding effect of brain

Brain consists of smaller cell units called neurons which communicate with each other via release of neurotransmitter chemical molecules known as Dopamine.

When neuron is stimulated by aroma of food or by being hungry for example, an action potential is generated. This electric impulse which starts from neuron cell- head travels via its axon, down to the end of neuron, also called nerve terminal.

Here, it triggers release of neurotransmitters, in the synaptic cleft, also known as synaptic space between two neurons (i.e. end terminal of one neuron and head terminal of other neuron).

Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors on neighboring neuron and transfers this signal and hence information of hunger to the other neuron. This binding of Dopamine, to the receptors of the other neuron, produces pleasure feeling or rewarding effect, as this action potential transmitted across, results in action, as eating delicious food and quenching hunger.

Dopamine are then removed from receptors and released back in synaptic space and absorbed back in end of transmitting neuron of first cell by special receptor proteins called Dopamine-Transporter. This helps in preventing post synaptic neuron from overstimulation.

Mechanism of masking or hijacking brain function by drugs

Action of Drugs is to release more Dopamine and increase its level in reward pathway. Use of Drugs/Chemicals and other such substance in category of alcohol, Nicotine (as in cigarette use), heroin stimulate VTA (Ventral Tegmental Area) of mid brain to produce more Dopamine in limbic system and frontal cortex region of brain.

This results in more action potential and excessive release of Dopamine. The action of drugs as cocaine and other psychostimulants is to bind to the dopamine- transporter proteins so that it does not go back to transmitting neuron.

Also, it enters the transmitting neuron vesicles and help in release of more Dopamine from neuron cell even in absence of action potential. this results in overstimulation of neuron and collection of more free Dopamine molecules in synaptic space.

This results in increased euphoria in drug abusers. This intense and extended state in drug abusers is the cause of brain hijack. Overuse of drugs and excessive release of free dopamine deactivates the brain reward system. The brain reward system no longer responds to normal day to day stimuli. Continuous use of drug then gradually hijacks brain normal functioning and decision taking capabilities. Low doses stop any stimulations resulting in the urge of higher doses and ultimately resulting in an addiction.

Reversal of Addiction is possible

Support and help strugglers to fight their battle and come back to addiction less path by:

1. Medical treatment and Detoxification
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
3. Emotional Behavioral Therapy
4. Counselling and Support
5. Rehabilitation and Recovery
6. Love and Motivation
7. Meditation.

Prioritize your habits, keep away addictions, for a seamless journey!