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How Substance Abuse Affects The Brain Essay

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Substance Abuse and the effects it has on the brain
By : Chelsy Sandoval
- Substance abuse is a medical disease that has affected millions of people around the world, both adults and adolescents. Substance abuse is the excessive use of drugs and substances such as alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and prescription medicines as well. It has a negative impact on a person ' s emotional health, physical health, and overall health, which can eventually long-term. One of the most significant impacts of substance abuse is on the brain and its functioning.
Introduction
What is the brain and why is it important?
- In the human body, the brain is one of the most complex organs. It has plays a major roles in our everyday live because it controls everything …show more content…

Effects that Substance Abuse has on the brain
Substance use has a major impact on the brains reward system. There are substances that give rush of dopamine, and dopamine gives the brain a sense of reward or pleasure. Sometimes this rush of dopamine also can create a sense of euphoria, and this sense is what can lead to substance addition.
Another impact that substance use has on the brain is that it damages the brains structure. The brains structure has three main parts to it, which are the brainstem, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum. Each of these parts has different functions but they all have a significant roles. For example, the cerebellum is responsible for the movement and balance of the body. However, when substance is involved, it completely changes the cerebellum’s role and its responsibility. Substance use also effects the brains cognitive function, and this function is responsible of our decision making, memory, and attention. At times these effects can also become long-term, even after it is treated. damages brain cells increases risk of mental illnesses emotional problems interferes with ones judgement problems with processing and …show more content…

It is something that should not be taken lightly because it is a serious topic. It has many negative effects throughout the body both mentally and physically, but it has a major impact on the brains function as well. The brain is what keeps humans functioning, and without it humans wouldn ’t be alive. When substance use in involved in the picture, it can completely change the way a person behaves, talks, moves, thinks, learns, processes, emotions, and how a person lives.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse please know that there are places and people that can help. There are many treatment options, such as therapy, support groups, recovery centers, and medications. Substance use has a lot more negatives then positives and it is not worth a path going down.
Overall, there should not be any shame when one if reaching out for help, and it is okay to ask for help.
- This is the website for substance abuse and mental health services administration : https://www.samhsa.gov/findhelp/national-helpline
- This is also the phone number for substance abuse and mental health services administration : 1-800-662-HELP
(4357)
- This is the website for drug abuse : https://www.na.org/.
- This is the website for alcohol abuse :

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