What is the sensation of pleasure that can occur with substance use called?

The sensation of pleasure that can occur with substance use is referred to as euphoria. This term describes a state of intense happiness and well-being that often accompanies the use of certain substances, including drugs and alcohol. Euphoria is a significant factor in why individuals may seek out these substances, as it contributes to their pleasurable effects and reinforces the behavior of use.

Tolerance, on the other hand, describes a decreasing response to a substance after repeated use, which means more of the substance is needed to achieve the same pleasurable effects. Addiction denotes a compulsive pattern of use that leads to negative consequences, while craving refers to the intense desire to use a substance. In contrast, euphoria specifically captures that peak experience of pleasure, distinguishing it from other concepts associated with substance use and its effects.