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By Christine Thomas
Most people believe that drugs are dangerous because of what they add, whether that be a rush or an escape. However, opioids work differently. These prescription medications, when used too often, can quickly turn into something a lot scarier than a Tylenol or Advil.
Opioids make the real world seem boring, transforming one’s life into one purpose – continuously obtain and take opioids. Over time, these addictive drugs take more from the brain than they give, quieting the brain’s warning system to make ordinary lives feel boring.
According to Mountain Springs Recovery, the effect drug habits have on an individual’s brain is similar to “reaching for chocolates when we feel sad or stressed out”. The simple action is connected to a reward. However, opioids are obviously more dangerous than chocolate.
Research shows that repeated opioid use can dull the brain’s response to everyday rewards, making ordinary experiences feel less engaging over time. Laughing with friends, playing sports, listening to music, or even that proud of accomplishing something now seems like nothing. Activities that used to fill our hearts feel useless and faraway, as if they were another person’s life.
At the same time, opioids suppress activity in brain systems responsible for risk assessment and decision-making. When pleasure is muted and internal warning signals are reduced, behaviors that once felt risky are suddenly routine. And yet, when the effects of opioids wear off, it causes an intense, uncontrolled overreaction from the brain’s stress management area and the nervous system. These are known as withdrawal symptoms, and they highlight how opioids alter the brain’s regular balance, forcing it to swing between numbness and extreme distress.
While the aftereffects are incredibly harmful, it is important to keep an open mind to those using opioids and understand the addictive nature of these drugs.
Opioid dependence is not simply a matter of poor choices or lack of self-control, but rather the result of chemical changes that reduce pleasure, making stopping feel overwhelming. Recognizing how opioids affect the brain and one’s life allows society, especially when addressing young people, to move away from judgment and toward compassion and prevention.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
