Drug-induced euphoria and its after effects
What is euphoria? Why is it a favourite state of being? Euphoria is an elated state of mind usually caused by receiving a flush of dopamine as a reward system to the body. While this is supposed to be a feeling that can be seldom received either after hearing an extremely good news or successfully completing a long-term goal, incidence of medical and recreational drugs have made it possible to feel this euphoria anytime with just a pop of a pill, a sniff, or injecting a drug with a syringe. These drugs are popular among the youth for their euphoric effects and are vividly used as recreational substances at rave parties and dance parties. Drugs that are commonly used for inducing euphoria include Cocaine, Heroin, and Opium and also the prescription drugs which contain euphoric substances.
More and more youth are gravitated towards these drugs as these drugs not only ease social awkwardness by lowering inhibitions in them but also create an illusion that all worries have subsided and a state of utmost happiness, satisfaction, and relaxation is achieved. These drugs also numb both psychological or physical pain. They alleviate anxiety and feelings of depression if any. They mess with the brain’s reward system and push it into overdrive causing this state of bliss. In fact most popular singers and stars have been reported using euphoric substances to create sensation in their live shows. But the downside of it is the aggravated psychosis and irrational behavior that lands users in a number of troubles.
After effects of consuming Euphoric drugs:
As with all things that sound too good to be true, the usage of these euphorics comes with repercussions. The short term side effects include insomnia, severe dehydration and feelings of severe depression as soon as the effect of the drug ceases from the brain. This nudges the user to do a repeat action to access the same euphoric feeling. Initially, a small dose of these drugs will allow the user to feel the earlier mentioned high. But with continual use the brain grows numb to the drug, requiring the user to consume a larger quantity of these drugs to experience those feelings once again. This process repeats with the next higher dose, requiring an even higher dose as the addiction progresses. This cycle continues and eventually leads the user to the point where the drug feels utmost necessary for the brain to function normally. The real concern is the long term effect of using such drugs where their young adults’ brain stops developing and illusions and hallucinations become a part of their everyday life. They may also enter juvenile life for the want of money to maintain their addiction
This doesn’t feel like as big a problem initially and all the warnings seem to be blown out of proportion for the users. But here’s where the actual problems start, these drugs tend to be expensive so getting larger doses starts affecting the user financially. This may affect both his long-term and short-term goals. Addiction also consumes a major portion of their life as when they are under the effect of the drug, they are generally unresponsive and when they aren’t, they are constantly under the compulsion to get high again. This affects the user’s relations too. This situation worsens to the point where it starts destroying his career and/or studies. Family relations and relations with other close friends are damaged by social stigma so much so that there is point of no return. This leaves the users isolated, further increasing their dependency on the drug leading them to abuse drugs much more and it’s all a downward spiral from there.
The repercussions of these drugs aren’t limited to social stigma. The psychological condition and the health of the user are also hindered significantly. The psychological effects in the short term are irritability, increased anger or aggression, and unrest when the drug isn’t consumed. Although in the long term, the harm done is very serious. In the long term, the user may succumb to chronic depression, perennial anxiety, and loss of functionality of the brain. They lose a majority of their interactive skills, analytical and problem estimation ability when they do not consume the drug. And when they consume the drug, they are in a position to assess the actual situation around them because of illusions and hallucinations. All in all, they have no real sense of danger and this leaves them very vulnerable.
Coming to the physical effects of these drugs, the use of these drugs causes headaches, vomiting, itching, sleeplessness or insomnia, and nosebleeds. In the long term these drugs cause loss of motor skills, they lose control over body parts and all the organs begin failing one by one. As these drugs also have a major effect on the cardiac health of the user, vulnerability to heart strokes and heart attacks is very high. An overdose can cause brain strokes or heart failure and finally result in death.
Are you an addict who needs help to recover? Help is just a click away. Rehab facilities are well equipped with the much needed infrastructure and expert clinicians who personalise treatments programs to meet the needs of the addicts. Remember that you are worth the recovery. Hitting rock bottom does not essentially mean that you should stay there. A small initiative from your side could walk you the path of lasting recovery.
