What happens in Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is complex. Quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. 

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with dopamine. As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They may take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.

Our treatment programme focuses on replacing the high felt from drugs, by positive self-development and making healthy connections. Connections with loved ones, friends, others in recovery, activities we enjoy and most importantly a spiritual and fullfilling connection to ourselves.

It Can Be Treated

As with most other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure.  

The good news is drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. 

Management means being armed with the tools needed to recover and these tools are provided by Red Door.