How Quickly Can Someone Become Addicted to a Drug?

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Drug addiction develops at different rates for every person. While some can develop an addiction after the first time using, others do not develop the disease until later and after several uses. Although the amount of time it takes for a person to develop a drug addiction varies, there are several factors that can help you understand the rate at which the disease can occur. Drug Addiction

How Drugs Affect the Brain

Each drug has a different effect on the brain and affects a different part of the brain.

  • For example, painkillers, formally known as opioids, bond with the brain’s opiate receptors, allowing the effects of pain relief to move through the body’s nervous system. This effect on the brain causes a person to feel calm and relaxed.
  • On the other hand, ecstasy, formally known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine, increases the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all of which are neurotransmitters that act as chemical messengers of brain cells. The result is a change in perception and mood.

Because every drug affects the brain differently, and every person’s brain is slightly different, the effects of drug usage can cause addiction at different rates.

Quantity and Frequency of Drug Usage Can Affect the Rate of Addiction

The rate of addiction can be quicker depending on how the drug is consumed, the frequency of usage, and the quantities in which the drug is consumed each time. Typically, the more a drug is consumed or the greater the dosage, the higher tolerance a person develops. As tolerance develops, the effects of the drug begin to weaken, and cravings begin to heighten. This is an addiction.

Early Exposure to Drugs Can Lead to Addictive Traits

Drug usage can manipulate a baby’s brain even when it is still in the mother’s womb. If a child was exposed to drugs before or during birth, the child’s brain may have already developed a mild dependency for that drug. As the child grows older, he or she may develop a need for the drug that he or she was exposed to at a young age, leading to an expedited rate of addiction.

Our Orange County Detox is Here to Help 24/7

At Fresh Start of California, our Orange County detox and residential facility is dedicated to helping you move past addition and into a life of joyfulness without the need for drugs. That is why we take the time to understand your history and individual needs. From there, we can create a treatment plan to help you achieve long-term results. Our treatment team truly believes the key to happiness in sobriety is self-exploration, self-love, support, and an adoration for life. When you choose to receive treatment from our team, we will stand by your side every step of the way

Call our detox in Orange County today at 714-558-2600 , and let our team give you a fresh start! It’s never too late to make the change of a lifetime.