There is no question that recovery can be an unpredictable and long process, which is one of the many reasons that people don’t tend to jump in head first. Even though there are extreme dangers associated with drug addiction and abuse, the fear of things unknown and the process of recovery at a Los Angeles treatment center can prevent people from getting the help they need to get clean.
There are also a number of addicts who consider themselves as being too far gone to receive help.
While addiction can cause severe damage to your brain and bond, and the recovery process is not easy nor fast, it is possible – regardless of how long you have been using the drug. The fact is, recovery may be the most rewarding experience you have in your life.
Your Brain
If you are old enough, you likely remember the old ad with a frying pan and egg, when the egg is dropped into the pan, there is voice that states “This is your brain on drugs.” The message here was to stop drug use prior to the brain being damaged.
In the past the fear was that drug abuse would kill so many brain cells off that it would begin to interfere with the cells you used daily. However, thanks to new technology and ongoing studies, the brain is an organ and just like any other organ in the body, it will continue to grow throughout life. It sheds old cells and makes new ones, which means change is always possible.
Drugs and Your Brain
The brain uses a number of chemicals, receptors and neurotransmitters to create thoughts. The neurotransmitters are produced to respond to stimuli and travel through the brain from cell to cell. The receptors read the chemical messages that are sent. When drugs are used, they essentially hack into this complex communication system in modify it. This can block certain receptors and mimic neurotransmitters, which ultimately change the way you thing – this is what is referred to as addicts as being ‘high.’ Based on the drug being used, addicts may begin to experience stimulation, sedation, euphoria, hallucinations and other artificial sensations.
The fact is, drug use can have an adverse effect on the brain, but it is not too late to reverse the damage. With the help of a Los Angeles treatment center anyone can begin to work toward recovery.
Are you in need of the services of a Los Angeles treatment center? If so, contact Gooden Center for more information.
