The psychology behind drug use is deeply rooted in motivation—why people start using, why they continue, and what makes it so hard to stop. Many people turn to drugs as a way to escape pain, cope with trauma, or feel a sense of reward or relief. Drugs activate the brain’s reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine, which can quickly create a pattern of craving and dependency. When someone’s motivation shifts from simply wanting to feel good to needing the substance just to function or avoid withdrawal, it becomes a powerful cycle that’s hard to break.
Withdrawal is one of the biggest psychological and physical barriers to quitting drugs. When the brain becomes used to getting a substance regularly, it stops producing or regulating certain chemicals on its own. So when the drug is taken away, the body and mind can go into a state of shock—causing symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, and even physical pain. This can leave people feeling helpless and intensely unmotivated, as their brain struggles to function without the substance. Understanding how withdrawal impacts motivation shows why recovery isn’t just about “just saying no”—it’s about support, patience, and helping the brain relearn how to feel good without the drug.
This really hit home for me. I started drinking after my deployment and it only got worse once I got out. Eventually, I became an alcoholic. Stopping wasn’t just hard, it felt impossible. Withdrawal turned into a vicious cycle. I wanted to say no so badly, but physically I couldn’t. My body was so used to the alcohol that going without it felt like shutting down completely. I never expected it to be that crippling. It took a long time to finally get a hold on it, and even now, I know my addiction is out there waiting in the parking lot waiting for me to slip up. I use to think that addiction was a lack of self control, but ultimately it truly is a disease, no one voluntarily chooses to be an addict or alcoholic, once again thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think a lot because we never know why a person can turn to the drugs and what happens when consuming drugs.
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