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Drug Abuse and the Effects on the Human Brain & Behavior Angela C. Cosat HLP-1081-23Z Lisa Acosta April 27th, 2014 Drug Abuse and the effects on the Human Brain & Behavior Most people know at least one person, either a friend or family member, or even a friend of a friend who has, or is suffering from drug addiction. The word “addiction” actually comes from a Latin term that means “enslaved by” or “bound to.” (“Understanding Addiction”, 2014) If you’ve ever tried to help someone to overcome a drug addiction, then you’ll understand why this is so. To really gain an understanding or perspective of why addicts behave the way they do, we need to first look at what addiction is; next, how addiction affects the human brain; and finally, some behaviors that drug addiction can cause. The first thing we will look at is what drug abuse is. Drug abuse is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance, such as cocaine, or heroin, that can cause pleasure, but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and will start interfering with everyday life, such as school, work, parenting responsibilities, or relationships. Addicts are not generally aware that their own behavior is out of control and are usually oblivious to the problems that they are causing to themselves and to others.(“What is Addiction?” 2014) The longer the addiction and addictive behaviors persist, the worse the person will become, and the more dependent they will become on the drug. The reason it is so hard for an addict to change their ways is because the brain’s chemistry is altered from addiction. Drug abuse affects the human brain in many ways. It can change homeostasis, which is the body’s natural balance, can alter the brain’s ... ... middle of paper ... ...such a hard disease to fight. That’s why it is important for family members or friends to stand by their loved ones if they are suffering from drug addiction. It may make all the difference in the end. Works Cited “10 Signs your loved one could have a problem with drug abuse.” Cirque Lodge. Cirque Lodge, Jan 2008. Web. 25 April 2014. Horvath, A. Tom, Kaushik Misra, Amy K. Epner, and Galen Morgan Cooper. “How does Addiction Affect the Brain?” Grace Point. Centersite Publishers, LLC, 2013. Web. 20 April 2014. Robinson, Lawrence, Melinda Smith, and Joanna Saisan. “Drug Abuse and Addiction.” Help Guide. Help Guide, Feb 2014. Web. 24 April 2014. “Understanding Addiction.” Help Guide. Harvard Health Publications, Web. 20 April 2014. “What is Addiction?” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC, 2014. Web. 20 April 2014.