What is Psychological Dependence on Drugs?

drug and alcohol treatmentsWhat is Psychological Dependence on Drugs?

There are some types of drugs available that many consider a necessary method of treatment, especially within the United States and Australia. These over-the-counter products are ideal for addressing particular ailments and medical conditions, but as they are manufactured even these can have a tendency of causing reliance within a patient.

Then there are other types – particularly those that are more well-known within the illegal narcotics community, including cocaine and heroin. These drugs offer no positive effects on the human body and they can begin to take a toll immediately, but what’s peculiar is that both types – the useful and the detrimental – can often result in the same type of addiction including a psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol.

What is Psychological Dependence on Drugs and How Does it Start?

The human body produces a great range of natural chemicals that we rely on every day in order to function. These chemicals are organic in nature and in the majority of cases, our bodies will be able to calculate how much needs to be produced, as well as how to dispose of any excess. Whenever we consume or ingest pills, medicines, or over-the-counter drugs such as adderall even, our body will need to calculate and make adjustments to ensure that the correct dosages are applied as and when they are needed.

When consumed temporarily, as is the case with anti-biotic courses, the human body will be able to moderate the flow of these external chemicals and distribute them accordingly. But when we are faced with severe, or excessive levels of the same chemicals, it can be quite challenging for our organs to properly process them.

Considering that these types of medicines are often filtered in a way that will allow them to take a minimal toll on our organs – it should come as no surprise to learn that those that are considered illegal in countries around the world (heroin especially), can take a much greater toll. The chemical compounds within these types of drugs act to replace the natural amino acids within our bodies and after just a few uses, where the body will have usually felt the need to produce more testosterone for example, it will instead crave the compounds found within illegal narcotics, habitually.

And this is What Leads to Dependency and Addiction

As the natural materials produced by our bodies are eventually overwhelmed, a person could find themselves emotionally craving for the inorganic ingredients found within the narcotics that they have made a habit of consuming: this is called psychological dependence. As things worsen the body will struggle to produce natural chemicals, in favour of those that are manually consumed and ingested, so the psychological demand for these types of narcotics can increase and worsen with exposure to the unnatural formulas that they consist of.

The only way to remove this addiction is by eliminating exposure to the substances altogether. This can lead to mental withdrawal symptoms that can be as painful as they are disruptive. If this phase can be overcome however, the body will learn to expel the toxins, whilst re-introducing the natural chemicals that were originally replaced by the narcotics, and therefore reduce the activity of psychological dependence.