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Common Questions About Addiction: Why are Drugs so Addictive?

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One of the most common questions that gets asked by those who have a drug addiction is: Why are drugs so addictive? It’s a question that comes from a place of frustration from those who started taking drugs because they were prescribed by a doctor, or those who decided to use a drug occasionally as a way to relieve stress. Perhaps you can relate to these scenarios, and you’ve found yourself addicted to a drug without any intention of becoming addicted. It’s actually more common than you might think. Still, why is it that it’s so hard for you to quit using drugs once you start? Let’s talk about it.

Drug Addiction and the Power of Positive Association

The reason addictions form in the first place is because of the power of positive association. The high you experience after smoking marijuana, snorting cocaine or injecting heroin is hard to deny. Even if you only intended to use drugs one time, your brain remembers those positive feelings (both mentally and physically), and it urges you to experience that again. You might feel compelled to use drugs when you begin to feel sad or depressed, or you might be compelled to do it just because of physical cravings. Everyone is different, but there’s no denying that addiction is a powerful, driving force once it takes hold.

Drug Addiction and Withdrawal

It’s possible that you understand how cravings feel if you’ve ever gone a period of time without using. However, cravings and withdrawal are very different. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, but they tend to get worse as time goes on. Some people go through withdrawal for a few weeks, but it’s not uncommon for it to last for a few months. Depending on the type of drugs you’re using, withdrawal symptoms can include painful headaches, severe joint pain or muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, shaking of the hands, insomnia or difficulty staying asleep, hallucinations, digestive problems and even seizures or stroke. Choosing to go to a drug rehab center is a much better option that trying to quit on your own. They have excellent programs that can assist you with the withdrawal phase, so that it lasts for a shorter time and is much less intense.

Getting the Upper Hand Over Your Addiction with Drug Rehab

The best way for you to overcome your addiction to drugs is by going to some type of drug rehab. Many people try to quit on their own, but going cold turkey has a lot of risks. You may end up with a life-threatening medical condition that requires immediate care. The safest way to stop using is by getting professional assistance from an excellent drug rehab facility. Here at Ashwood Recovery, we can assist you with finding the right type of addiction treatment program in Idaho tailored for you. Please contact us for more information.