Is continued drug use a voluntary behavior?
The initial decision to take a drug, whether a prescribed medication or a “street” drug, would be considered under voluntary control. However, when someone develops a dependence on that substance, the person’s ability to exert self-control can become seriously compromised. Brain imaging studies from drug-dependent individuals show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision-making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Scientists believe that these changes alter the way the brain works, and may help explain the compulsive and destructive behaviors of drug dependence. So, even though, logically, a person may know that opioids are not essential for life, as long as those parts of the brain in charge of survival behavior still believe opioids are necessary, they may override “higher reasoning.” Furthermore, to an opioid-dependent brain, not having enough opioids to satisfy cravings or suppress withdrawal is comparable to not having enough food to sa
