Is Heroin addictive & why? / Why is Heroin addictive?!

Is Heroin addictive & why? / Why is Heroin addictive?

4 months ago
this is for homework.

Addictive drugs have two things in common. They produce an initial pleasurable effect followed by a rebound unpleasant effect. Heroin and other opiates mimic certain chemicals that are present in the brain (.e.g., endorphins and enkephalins) that block pain and induce a feeling of pleasure. These chemicals are released in larger quantities when we have sex, exercise, laugh or do enjoyable work (the "natural highs").

Heroin and other opiate drugs produce these same good feelings. However, unlike the "endogenous opiates" that we produce ourselves, a tolerance is built up to heroin and similar drugs so that it takes more and more to get the pleasurable feeling. When the person fails to take the drugs, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur.

These brain cells represent a simplified way of looking at the BRAIN'S REWARD SYSTEM. On the left we see the various drives and needs of the body; sex, hunger, thirst and friendship. When these drives are satisfied, or when pain is relieved, a signal is sent to certain brain cells (the "monitor cell" on the left) which manufacture a chemical substance that signals reward. When these "monitor cells" have been stimulated, a signal is sent to the tip where a small amount of this reward chemical is released. The chemical (or neurotransmitter) then reaches and stimulates the reward center, causing a feeling of well-being.

Heroin produces as artificial feeling of pleasure. This is like having counterfeit money which will fit into the slot machine. When the drug comes in, it stimulates the reward center. This short circuits the survival mechanism, because the reward center cell can't tell the difference between the drug and the natural messenger.

The result is a dependence on the immediate, fast, predictable drug which, at the same time, short circuits interests in and the motivation to make life's normal rewards work.