The Ultimate Guide to Substance Dependence: Insights from RECO Health

Substance dependence reshapes brain circuits that manage reward, stress, and decision-making. Early use floods the mesolimbic pathway with dopamine, reinforcing cravings while dulling natural pleasure responses; ongoing use disrupts serotonin balance, leading to mood swings and sleep problems. Repeated intoxication weakens the prefrontal cortex and raises cortisol, so everyday triggers feel urgent and hard to resist. Opioid dependence often starts with prescribed painkillers and can progress to heroin or fentanyl, while alcohol use disorder damages the liver, heart, and cognition even when drinking seems socially normal. Many people combine drugs such as benzodiazepines, stimulants, or cannabis, increasing overdose risk and complicating treatment. Effective care maps all substances involved, applies medication-assisted strategies when appropriate, and aligns cognitive-behavioral and trauma-informed therapies to each person’s needs. Person-first language helps reduce stigma, supporting healthier engagement throughout recovery.

https://www.reco.health/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-substance-dependence-insights-from-reco-health