How Drug Addiction Affects the Brain

Many people suffer from the drug addiction problems today.

People become drug addicted to getting relaxation from the pressurized environment around them. 

This addiction will have many adverse effects on the life of social behavior. They could be a cause many health related issues too. If you are prone to drug addiction, it is important to know the effects of drug addiction on the brain.

Drugs have the capability to interact with the brain and body and alter moods and behavior by influencing the brain chemistry and individual perceptions. These factors will have a great impact on the person’s behavior with the society around him.

What causes addiction?

Addiction has a strong influence on the brain. It influences the brain in three different ways like craving for the drug that is addicted to, losing control over dosage used and continuing the usage of the drug in spite of adverse effects.

Effects of drug on brain

Drug addiction affects the pathways of the brain- an i.e. the reward pathway of the brain.  Drugs will have an influence on the brain immediately after entering the body, maybe in the span of seconds.

They cause an immediate change in the synapses of the brain by activating brain’s reward circuitry. The drugs are capable of delivering an immediate jolt of pleasure on an intake. This will make the victim crave for it more.

Influences the roots of administration

In order to take the control of the person, drug starts affecting administration routes of the body like a bloodstream. 

The drugs that get into the bloodstream have a faster influence on the person. The drugs that are taken through injection have a higher influence on the brain than that is consumed orally.  

Drug consumption first affects the routes of administration to take control over brain functions.

Drugs on the nervous system of the brain

The influence of the drugs on the brain will reduce the speed of a central nervous system. This, in turn, influences various functions like respiration, blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate.

The drugs that are consumed by the people have a great influence on the interneuron system of the brain. The drugs consumed will interfere with the activity of the neurotransmitters and receptors which are part of synapses in the brain. 

Changes Last Long After Use

After understanding the effects of the drug usage on the brain, it is important to know its long-lasting effects on the brain.

It will help you to keep away from the drug addiction. Long-term usage of few dugs will have a toxic effect on neurons and result in killing them.  It is a danger signal for life as most of these neurons cannot be replaced.

Though the changes in the neurons after drug consumption are not permanent, their influence on the brain may last long for years. These long-lasting changes on the neurons may pose challenges for the addicts to stay drug-free.  They may experience an intense craving for the drugs leading to degeneration.     

The variability of effects and consequences for drug abuse can extend into every aspect of an individual’s life. 

Whether it’s home, the office, social activities or physical and emotional well-being, without help for drug addiction it’s unusual for anyone to continue dealing their life successfully while still engaged with their selected material.


Educational expert, Garry Smith is redefining the way schools worldwide develop teaching, and counseling programs, giving students greater odds of achieving life success. He also works as a content creator at SmileTutor agency. His team-integrated approach brings teachers, counselors, private home tuition agency, and families together to help students develop personal, emotional, behavioral, social, academic, and career skills to overcome today’s biggest challenges.