Brain Basics
What is the name of the specialized cell that carries messages throughout the brain and body?
What is a Neuron
Which brain area is known as the Memory Librarian?
What is the Hippocampus
True or false: Substance use can change the way brain cells communicate.
What is True
True or false: The brain can continue learning and changing throughout a person's life.
What is True
Name one healthy response someone could practice when they notice a trigger.
Examples: pause, use grounding, seek support, or practice a coping skill.
What are the chemical messengers that neurons release to communicate?
What are Neurotransmitters
Which brain area is known as the Reward and Habit Team?
What is the Basal Ganglia
What chemical messenger involved in motivation and learning is discussed in the handouts?
What is Dopamine
What is neuroplasticity?
What is The brain's ability to change its connections and activity in response to experience.
Which brain team member are you practicing using when you pause and consider consequences before acting?
What is the Prefrontal cortex.
What is the small gap between neurons called?
What is the Synapse
Which brain area is known as the Emotion and Alarm Team?
What is the Amygdala
Which brain area can become less effective at helping someone control impulses and make decisions during substance use?
What is Prefrontal Cortex
What can happen to brain connections when a person repeatedly practices a new skill?
Some connections can strengthen while others weaken or reorganize.
Why can building healthy routines be helpful in recovery?
Repeating helpful routines supports habit learning and creates opportunities to practice healthier behaviors.
What is the name of the brain area responsible for planning, decision-making, and controlling impulses?
What is the Prefrontal Cortex
Which brain area is known as the Planner and Brakes?
What is the Prefrontal Cortex
Why might a person continue using substances even when they know there could be negative consequences?
Substance use can change reward, stress, and decision-making systems, making cravings and learned habits difficult to overcome.
Besides practicing a skill, what important activity helps the brain stabilize and organize new memories?
What is Sleep or Rest
True or false: Having a difficult day means your brain has lost everything it learned in recovery.
False. A difficult day does not erase what you have learned.
Name the four brain team members discussed in our recovery handout.
What are Prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and basal ganglia
You pass an old using location, remember using there, feel anxious, experience a craving, and decide to call someone for support. Name at least three brain team members involved.
Hippocampus (memory), amygdala (emotional alarm), basal ganglia (learned reward and habits), and prefrontal cortex (planning and pausing).
Which part of the brain controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate, and why is this important when discussing opioid overdose?
What is the Brainstem. Opioids can dangerously slow or stop breathing.
Why might someone need to practice a new coping skill repeatedly before it begins to feel natural?
Learning takes repetition. Repeated experiences can help strengthen and reorganize brain connections, making the response more familiar.
Someone feels overwhelmed and automatically wants to use substances. Describe three steps they could take to practice a different response.
Notice the trigger or emotion, pause and practice a coping skill, and repeat the new response while seeking support as needed.