Addicted Brain
True or False: Having an addiction is a result of a lack of willpower.
False
When the brain releases dopamine, does it encourage to or discourage from a person repeating the behavior that triggered it?
Encourages it to be repeated.
What is tolerance?
An increased amount of drug is needed to create the same effect, or the same high that was felt initially.
Name two substances that would be categorized as hallucinogens?
Examples might include: LSD (acid) • Psilocybin • Mescaline • MDA • PCP
What is it called when the body develops a tolerance to the substance and shows symptoms of withdrawal when the substance is not used ?
physical dependence
True or False: Addiction is a physiological disease.
True.
True or False: The body's natural reward system is not affected by addictive substances.
Name one other brain mechanism that dopamine is involved in besides the reward system?
answers may include decision making, memory, judgement, difficulty thinking clearly, difficulty managing feelings and emotions, etc.
Name one example of an anti-depressant and one example of an anti-psychotic.
Examples of anti-depressants may include:
Examples of antipsychotic medications can include:
Droperidol
Fluphenazine
Haloperidol
Loxapine
Perphenazine
Pimozide
Prochlorperazine
Thioridazine
Thiothixene
Trifluoperazine
Monotherapy
Aripiprazole
Asenapine
Clozapine
Iloperidone
Lurasidone
Olanzapine
Paliperidone
Quetiapine
Risperidone
Ziprasidone
What is it called when the belief that you need to use a substance to function?
psychological dependence
True or False: Addiction can alter the way the brain works but does not affect how it processes information.
False.
Which reward floods the brain with more dopamine, a natural reward or an addictive drug?
An addictive drug can cause the brain to release 10Xs the amount of dopamine than is released from a natural reward.
Fill in the blank: The progression of addiction goes "like", "want," ______, and "require."
"Need"
Give one example of drug that would be considered a "depressant"?
Examples may be • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Benzodiazepines (Valium, Clonazepam, lorazepam)
What is the term for the withdrawal symptoms that occur after the acute phase of withdrawal is over?
PAWS or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
What kind of behavior does the brain's reward system reinforce?
Answers should be along the lines of actions that help us survive so we want to keep doing them.
What is the term used to describe the state in which the brain's circuits reduce their sensitivity to dopamine?
Tolerance
What is it called when the body adapts to a certain level of substance use?
Acquired Tolerance
Name at least two substances that are categorized as opiates.
Examples could include: • Heroin • Morphine • Codeine • Demerol • Percodan/Percocet • Fentanyl • Dilaudid • Methadone
True or False: The stress that is caused by recovery is only psychological.
False. Recovery form nervous system damage can take 6-24 months.
What is the name of the chemical involved in the brain's reward system?
Dopamine
True or false: The brain reduces the number of dopamine receptors when it is continually flooded with dopamine from continual use of a substance such as cocaine.
True.
What is it called when the body reacts or shows symptoms of physical and/or mental distress because of the absence of the substance?
Withdrawal
Name at least two substances that would be categorized as stimulants.
Answers could include: Amphetamine • Methamphetamine • Cocaine/Crack • Caffeine • Nicotine
Name at least coping skill useful in coping with PAWS symptoms.
answers may include: 1. Stabilization – talk honestly to people who will not accuse, criticize or minimize how you are feeling 2. Education – learning about all aspects of recovery from chemical dependency helps keep PAWS symptoms in perspective 3. Self- Protective Behavior – you are responsible for protecting yourself from threats to your sobriety 4. Nutrition – 3 well balanced meals a day, 3 nutritious snacks a day, minimizing caffeine, fats and sugars. 5. Exercise – this can reduce tension, and is a great stress reliever 6. Relaxation – spend time daily on yourself, doing something you enjoy 7. Spirituality – this means different things to different people, but can be helpful 8. Balancing Living – try not to overdo some thins and neglect other parts of your life