Drugs of Abuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Drugs of Abuse - Essay Example ay and white matter and is the focal point of all human activity—controlling all movements and coordination when a person need to breathe, drive a car, eat some snacks, create some artistic masterpiece, and many other things. Note that, human brain has three very vital areas that can be damaged by drug abuse. The brain stem, which controls basic functions crucial to life, examples include: breathing, heart rate, and sleeping; The limbic system, which consist of the brain’s reward circuit, whereby brain structures are link together, control and regulate a person’s ability to sense pleasure as well as motivates to repeat behaviors like eating. Then, the limbic system that is practically activated the moment people perform activities including drugs of abuse. Furthermore, the limbic system is accountable for perception of other emotions, whether it is positive or negative, and this explains the mood-altering characteristics of many drugs. Probably, the most essential part of the brain is the cerebral cortex, since this area is occupied by structures controlling the senses, enabling people to see, feel, hear, and also to taste. Cerebral cortex is also the â€Å"thinking† area of the brain, very essential for memory, association of facts and events and also for decision making process. Entirely, the brain basically regulates individuals’ basic body functions, including the process of interpreting facts as well as responding to experiences, emotions, and even behavior. Indeed, the brain is composed of many parts which all work together as one team and these parts are responsible for coordinating and conducting particular functions. However, drugs can modify important brain areas which are essential for life-sustaining functions; it can drive the uncontrollable drug abuse which marks addiction. The areas of the brain are certainly affected by drug abuse (National Institutes of Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008; p 15). Drugs are