teen and drug addiction

Can You Become Addicted to a Drug if You Just Take It Once

If you take a drug one time and one time only, then you will not become addicted. The problem is that there is a lot we still don't know about who becomes addicted and why, and how much drug exposure it takes. We do know that each person is different, so it's a little like playing “Russian Roulette” if you choose to use drugs. But, if you do, the earlier you stop, the more likely you will be to avoid addiction and the harmful brain changes that lead to it.

Can My Body Build a Tolerance to Drugs?

Many drugs lose their effectiveness if you keep taking them. A person is becoming tolerant to a drug when they have to take more of it or take the same dose more frequently, to get the same effect as they got at first. For example, if you take a decongestant for a cold over several days, the effective time becomes shorter and shorter. Similarly, if you take opiate medications to control pain, you may need to take more to achieve the same level of pain control. In such a case, developing tolerance does not mean that you are addicted to the drug.

For more information, check out Above the Influence.

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

The following questions can help you know whether you are addicted to drugs. Do you:

Take the drug more often or in larger amounts than intended?
Try unsuccessfully to quit or have a constant desire or craving for the drug?
Spend excessive time seeking the drug?
Give up other things for the drug?
Continue to use the drug, despite knowing you’re harming yourself and others?
Experience tolerance, or a need to take more and more of the drug to satisfy you?
Experience withdrawal symptoms (which may be different for different drugs)?
Take the drug to relieve or avoid withdrawal?

If you answer yes to several of the above, then chances are, you are addicted. We don't really know or understand who becomes addicted and why, or how much drug exposure it takes. Each person is different. But the longer someone takes drugs, the more likely it is that he/she will become addicted and suffer long-term, harmful brain changes.

What Factors Affect a Person’s Likelihood of Becoming Addicted to Drugs?

Although we know what happens to the brain when someone becomes addicted, we can’t predict how many times a person must use a drug before that happens. A person’s unique genetic makeup and his or her environment both play a role. What we do know is that a person who uses drugs (including alcohol) risks becoming addicted, craving the drug despite its terrible consequences. In the end, if addiction occurs, it is extremely painful and difficult to quit regardless of what drug you take—but it can be done.

How Can I Avoid Drugs?

You can do some key things to stay off drugs. Three big ones are:

Avoid situations where there are likely to be drugs, if possible, and instead do activities that are enjoyable and drug free.
Hang out with people that don't use drugs
Say 'no thanks' when offered drugs.