Pleasure Unwoven
Who is the narrator of Pleasure Unwoven?
Dr. Kevin McCauley.
What brain pathway does Dr. McCauley say addiction hijacks?
The pleasure/reward pathway.
What does “cognitive reframing” mean?
Looking at a situation in a new or more positive way.
What brain chemical is highly linked with motivation?
Dopamine
Recovery is only about stopping drugs or alcohol.
False
What is the main question the documentary tries to answer?
Whether addiction is a disease or a choice.
The film explains that people keep using substances even when it causes harm because the brain prioritizes what?
Survival (the brain sees the drug as necessary for survival).
If you fail a test and think, “I’m dumb,” what would be a healthier way to reframe that thought?
“I didn’t do well this time, but I can study differently and try again.”
This part of the brain, shaped like a seahorse, stores memories and can trigger cravings when reminded of past substance use.
the hippocampus
About what fraction of people who need treatment for substance use actually receive it?
A- 1 in 8
B- 1 in 10
C- 1 in 4
C- 1 in 4
According to the film, addiction is primarily a disease of what organ?
The brain.
What is the term used to describe the brain’s ability to change and heal over time?
Neuroplasticity.
Why is reframing helpful when we feel upset?
It helps us calm down, see solutions, and not get stuck in negative thinking.
This almond-shaped brain structure is linked to emotions like fear, stress, and anxiety that can fuel relapse.
the amygdala
After 5 years in recovery, does the risk of relapse go up, stay the same, or go down?
It goes down significantly
What brain chemical is most involved in the brain’s reward system and addiction?
Dopamine.
According to Pleasure Unwoven, recovery is possible when people build what kinds of new skills and supports?
Healthy coping skills, habits, and social supports.
True or False: Reframing means pretending bad things don’t exist.
False. It means looking at them in a healthier way.
Tolerance and withdrawal happen because repeated substance use changes these brain connections.
Neural pathways or synapses
What percentage of people relapse within the first year of recovery
A—10–20%
B-40–60%
C-80–90%
B-40-60%
Which part of the brain is responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control that gets weakened in addiction?
The prefrontal cortex.
What is the overall conclusion of the documentary?
Addiction is a disease of the brain, not just a lack of willpower or a moral failing.
What is one benefit of practicing reframing every day?
It makes positive thinking a habit and helps us handle stress better.
This part of the brainstem controls breathing and heart rate, which can be slowed dangerously by opioids.
Medulla
About what percentage of people who once had a problem with drugs or alcohol say they are now in recovery?
A-45%
B-62%
C-70%
C-about 70%