What is the result of prolonged use of a drug regarding the body's adaptation?

Prolonged use of a drug typically leads to heightened sensitivity to its effects. This phenomenon is known as drug tolerance, where the body adapts to the continuous presence of the substance. Over time, the body's physiological and biochemical processes adjust to compensate for the drug, often resulting in reduced responsiveness to its effects. However, the term heightened sensitivity may refer to a complex interaction where, upon cessation of the drug, the user experiences increased effects from the originally used dosage due to the body's adaptations during prolonged use.

In this context, the body alters its functionality in response to the drug, which can create a situation where, after the drug is withheld for a period, the individual becomes more sensitive to its effects, which may lead to withdrawal symptoms or even heightened effects if the drug is reintroduced. In this case, there's a significant shift in how the body processes and reacts to the substance over time, emphasizing the profound impact of prolonged drug use on the body's adaptations and the potential for a heightened response after periods of cessation.