National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week: March 21 to March 27, 2022

 

InnerAct Alliance is joining with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to celebrate National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week from March 21 to March 27, 2022 to draw attention to science-based facts about drugs and alcohol, promote positive mental health, and encourage youth to adopt healthy behaviors for mind and body.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) sets aside a Chat Day each year during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week to answer the top 10 questions teens frequently ask about drugs and health. A question we hear frequently is "Why do people take drugs when they know they are bad?" According to NIDA researchers, there is no easy answer because people take drugs for different reasons, such as to deal with life's challenges, to escape from reality, to relieve pain, or to try to fit in. Some people may be aware of the negative effects of drugs, but they still struggle to stop using them because repeated drug use can lead to changes in the brain that make it hard to stop. When this occurs, the person is experiencing a medical problem known as substance use disorder. Addiction is a severe form of substance use disorder. 

All addictive drugs cause the brain to release the chemical dopamine, which is released after pleasurable and satisfying activities. Dopamine causes the brain to remember rewards, like food and sex. This reinforces the desire to seek them out again. Repeatedly using a drug floods the brain with more dopamine, which changes the way the brain responds to that drug. With repeated use, a greater quantity of drug is needed to produce the same pleasurable effect. When the drug is not available, people may experience the negative symptoms of withdrawal, which may include stress, anxiety, depression, and sometimes physical symptoms such as sweating, vomiting, and pain. Repeated cycles of drug use and withdrawal can disrupt brain function to the extent that people may have difficulty experiencing pleasure in their daily lives. At this point, people may continue drug use to avoid the lows caused by withdrawal rather than seek the highs they once experienced. Fortunately, treatment can help people with a substance abuse disorder counteract disruptive effects and lead to healthier lives. The sooner a person receives treatment, the better chances that they will recover.

For more drug facts and answers to common questions that teens may have about drugs and health, visit the NIDA website at https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/