About Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment...

Treatment of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction begins with the courageous step of determining that you need treatment, then selecting the appropriate treatment for you. About Drug Treatment presents information on determing whether you need treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and the principles of effective treatment. Please read the following article, "What Drugs Do to the Brain". For more Information, click on the articles link.

What Drugs and Alcohol Do to the Brain

Some drugs work in the brain because they have a similar size and shape as natural neurotransmitters. In the brain in the right amount or dose, these drugs lock into receptors and start an unnatural chain reaction of electrical charges, causing neurons to release large amounts of their own neurotransmitter.

Some drugs lock onto the neuron and act like a pump, so the neuron releases more neurotransmitter. Other drugs block reabsorption or reuptake and cause unnatural floods of neurotransmitter.

All drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, cocaine, and marijuana, primarily affect the brain's limbic system. Scientists call this the "reward" system. Normally, the limbic system responds to pleasurable experiences by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure.

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