Addiction Basics
This term describes a chronic brain condition where a person continues a behavior despite harmful consequences.
What is addiction?
Many experts consider this substance one of the most addictive known to humans.
What is nicotine?
(Heroin and fentanyl are also highly addictive, but nicotine is most commonly cited for rapid dependence.)
Struggling to make healthy choices about substance use because cravings override reasoning is known as what?
Impaired decision making
These medications—like methadone or buprenorphine—reduce cravings and withdrawal in opioid addiction.
What are medication‑assisted treatment medicines (MAT)
Being surrounded by friends or peers who use substances raises risk due to what environmental factor?
peer influence or peer pressure?
This chemical in the brain is linked to reward, pleasure, and motivation.
What is dopamine?
This is the most widely used substance in the world.
What is alcohol?
These unpleasant experiences occur when a person stops using a substance their body depends on.
What are withdrawal symptoms?
This type of therapy helps people change their thoughts and behaviors around substance use.
What is cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT)
Stress, trauma, and lack of support are types of these risk contributors.
What are psychosocial risk factors? High stress, abuse, trauma, poverty, loneliness, or unstable home environments can push someone toward substance use as a coping tool. When emotions or life circumstances feel overwhelming, people sometimes use substances to numb or escape those feelings.
True or False:
Addiction always develops quickly, within days or weeks.
False.
(Some people develop it slowly over time.)
This is often considered the easiest substance for most people to obtain legally.
What is alcohol or nicotine?
Strong urges or desires to use a substance are called what?
Cravings
This supportive approach focuses on empathy, collaboration, and strengthening motivation.
What is motivational interviewing?
True or False: Environment can turn a genetic risk for addiction on or off.
ANSWER: True.
A person might have genes that make addiction more likely, but genes are not destiny. Environment (their friends, community, stress, safety, support, trauma, opportunities) can either increase the risk, or protect them from it. This is called gene–environment interaction.
Example: Someone with a family history of addiction may never develop addiction if they grow up with strong support, healthy role models, and limited exposure to substances.
This condition occurs when a person needs more of a substance to get the same effect.
What is tolerance?
This class of drugs (including fentanyl) is responsible for the majority of overdose deaths.
What are opioids?
Hiding, minimizing, or lying about use is considered this type of sign.
What are behavioral signs of addiction?
True or False: Recovery is a one‑time event.
False. Recovery is an ongoing process.
Most people who develop addiction first use substances during their teen years.
True.
Early exposure increases risk because the brain is still developing.
These two brain chemicals often involved in addiction relate to pleasure (one) and mood regulation (the other).
What are dopamine and serotonin?
This substance comes from the poppy plant and was originally used as a pain reliever but is now known for producing intense euphoria and strong physical dependence.
What is heroin?
True or False: Increased secrecy and changes in sleep patterns can be signs of addiction.
True.
These community groups (ex: AA or NA) offer peer support for people working on sobriety.
What are mutual aid or support groups?
Positive friendships, stable housing, and supportive family are examples of these protective elements.
What are protective factors?
These make someone stronger and more resilient, lowering the risk that substance use will start or become a problem.