Love Is a Natural Drug - 1415 Words

Love Is a Natural Drug John-Mark I. Chambers The University of the West Indies Mona Campus Abstract Love addiction and substance dependence have similar characteristics, namely, the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, the presence of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, and the negative influences they have on a person’s life. Love addiction is similar to addictive drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and heroin because of the effects that dopamine have on the addict’s mind and body. These effects then lead to a person’s experience of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are very important in the maintenance of an addiction as they cause the person to crave and need more of the addictive†¦show more content†¦These actions are also seen in love addiction as a person experiencing tolerance would try to increase the amount of time spent with their loved one and reduce the intervals between meetings with that person. For example one of my friends could not go two days without seeing his girlfriend last summer, and w hen they saw each other, it was for the whole day. He was clearly experiencing tolerance. These behaviours are needed to produce even higher levels dopamine so that the desired response is achieved. Another characteristic experienced in both love addiction and substance dependence is withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are any physical or psychological disturbance experienced by a drug addict when deprived of a drug. Some drugs such as alcohol produce more physical withdrawal, while others such as marijuana produce more psychological withdrawal. Some withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, depression, racing heart, palpitations, sweating and poor concentration. Reynaud et al. (2010) state that the absence of the loved person has similar symptoms to those of substance withdrawal; these include negative mood (irritability, anxiety, depression, anger), suffering and sensations of emptiness. â€Å"Withdrawal compels addicts to resume drug use to prevent or reduce phys ical symptoms and dysphoria† (Cami amp; Farrà ©, 2003, p. 982). Therefore both tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are important for the maintenance of the addiction. LoveShow MoreRelatedEssay on Ethics and Aristotle837 Words   |  4 PagesEthics and Aristotle A married couple, both addicted to drugs, is unable to care for their infant daughter. She is taken from them by court order and placed in a foster home. The years passed. She comes to regard her foster parents as her real parents. They love her as they would their own daughter. When the child is 9 years old, the natural parents, rehabilitated from drugs, begin court action to regain custody. The case is decided in their favor. 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