Hypersensitivity as a result of drug abuse

[JoNightshade]

Okay, for some reason I have it in my head that it is rare but possible to develop a hypersensitivity to drugs/medication after abusing drugs or being addicted to drugs. IE, the opposite of the usual needing to take more and more of normal stuff like aspirin for it to have an effect.

In my mind it's like becoming allergic to something because of overexposure.

Am I just smoking crack here or does this happen? ;)

I'm trying to Google this but I'm getting a ton of stuff about natural hypersensitivity. I'm looking for it in conjunction with drug abuse. Can someone help me out here?

Thanks!

[auntybug]

Hmm....I had a friend that was on a ton of different meds to make things work right 'cause he abused drugs (bad) when he was younger & about OD'd so I don't know about that. Sounds plausible though....good luck with your search - sorry I couldn't help.

[GeorgeK]

By hypersensitive you mean it takes less of the drug to get the same effect, as opposed to an allergy?

This does happen somewhat with alcohol as far as the observed result goes, but it's sort of an illusion, and a very poor prognostic sign. It is a result of extensive liver damage to the point that it takes less of the drug to overwhelm the surviving liver cells. They are most likely terminally ill by that point.

[JoNightshade]

By hypersensitive you mean it takes less of the drug to get the same effect, as opposed to an allergy?

Yeah, basically.

This does happen somewhat with alcohol as far as the observed result goes, but it's sort of an illusion, and a very poor prognostic sign. It is a result of extensive liver damage to the point that it takes less of the drug to overwhelm the surviving liver cells. They are most likely terminally ill by that point.

Well, that does not bode well for my character. ;) I'm just referring to drugs here, I'm thinking most likely methamphetamines.

[Scrawler]

I've read that certain drugs (opiates) effect the beta-endorphins in the brain, which can make a person susceptible to relapse or sensitivity. Stimulant use hits your dopamine levels. Alcohol effects the brain's serotonin. Alcoholics have been shown to have much lower levels of serotonin than others. This brain chemistry is why "traditional" rehab fails. The person may get clean and sober, but the brain chemistry (neurotransmitters) have not been rewired so they're "itching" for a hit.

Radiant Recovery t (http://www.radiantrecovery.com/resourcecenter/alcdrug.html)alks more about this, (there's an article about meth use) and might offer you some interesting insight into the brain's response. There's a lot of info about "upregulating" and "downregulating" your neurotransmitters, making you hyper-sensitive to the chemicals that hit your brain's "weak spot" (priming the pump).

[Shwebb]

try using the term "reverse tolerance" in your searching, and see if that helps.