System 1
Which organ controls your thoughts, memory, emotions, and movement?
What is the brain. Alcohol, opioids, and stimulants can all affect brain communication, judgment, and behavior.
Which organ pumps blood throughout your entire body?
What is the heart. The heart is responsible for circulating oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues.
Which organ is primarily responsible for processing alcohol and many medications?
What is the liver. The liver metabolizes alcohol, medications, and other substances.
What two organs filter your blood and produce urine>
What are the kidneys. The kidneys remove waste products and help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance.
Which organs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide?
What are the lungs. The lungs allow gas exchange so your cells receive oxygen.
What chemical messenger is strongly involved in motivation, reward, and pleasure?
What is dopamine. Many addictive substances after dopamine signaling, reinforcing substance-seeking behavior. The brain begins associating the substance with a rewarding experience and over time, the brain learns, "When I use this substance, something rewarding happens. I want to do it again."
What are the two numbers measured when checking blood pressure?
What are systolic and diastolic pressure. Blood pressure can fluctuate during withdrawal, especially during alcohol or stimulant withdrawal.
What is fatty liver disease?
What is an accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. Heavy alcohol use can contribute to alcohol-associated fatty liver disease.
What is one common sign of dehydration?
What are dark urine, dry mouth, thirst, or dizziness. Vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and poor fluid intake during withdrawal can contribute to dehydration.
What is the medical term or difficulty breathing?
What is dyspnea. Breathing difficulty can occur for many reasons and can be a medical emergency. Must be assessed promptly.
What is the name of the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections through experience?
What is neuroplasticity. The brain can adapt during recovery. Healthy routines, treatment, and repeated positive experiences can support healing.
Which type of substance can cause an increased heart rate with elevated blood pressure?
What are stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Stimulants activate the sympathetic nervous system and can increase cardiovascular system.
What is cirrhosis?
What is advanced liver scarring that can interfere with normal liver function. Long-term heavy alcohol exposure can cause permanent liver damage.
What are electrolytes?
What are minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium that help regulate important body function. Electrolytes support nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and heart function.
What class of substances can slow breathing to dangerously low levels?
What are opioids. Opioids suppress respiratory drive especially at higher doses or when combined with sedatives.
Why might someone experience anxiety, irritabiliy, or trouble sleeping when they stop using alcohol or drugs?
What is the nervous system adjusting to the absence of the substance. Substances can change brain signaling in which withdrawal may cause the nervous system to become overactive or dysregulated.
What is an irregular or abnormal heart rhythm called?
What is an arrhythmia. Alcohol withdrawal can cause electrolyte disturbances that can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms.
What important blood protein does the liver produce that helps maintain fluid balance in the bloodstream?
What is albumin. The liver produces albumin, a protein that helps keep fluid inside blood vessels. Severe liver disease can lower albumin and contribute to swelling or fluid buildup
Why can prolonged vomiting and diarrhea duing withdrawal become dangerous?
What is because they can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Severe imbalances can affect kidney function, muscles, and cardiac rhythm.
What happens to the brain when it does not receive enough oxygen?
What is hypoxia, which can cause brain in jury and potentially death. Respiratory depression from an opioid overdose can deprive the brain and other organs of oxygen.
Why can abruptly stopping heavy alcohol use cause seizures?
What is excessive nervous system excitation during alcohol withdrawal. Chronic alcohol exposure changes GABA and glutamate signaling. Abrupt cessation can cause dangerous nervous system hyperactivity.
WHy can severe alcohol withdrawal be dangerous for the cardiovascular system?
What is because increased sympathetic activity can cause rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and potentially serious complications.
Why might someone with advanced liver disease bruise easily or develop abnormal bleeding?
What is impaired production of clotting proteins by the liver. The liver produces many proteins needed for normal blood clotting.
Why is drinking excessive amounts of water quickly not always safe?
What is because it can dilute blood sodium and cause hyponatremia. Hydration should be appropriate to the person's condition. More water is not always better.
Which part of the brain controls automatic breathing?
What is the brain stem, particularly the medulla oblongata and pons. It regulates breathing without you having to consciously think about it in which opioids can suppress this function.