Neurobiology of Addiction
This neurotransmitter is most associated with the brain's reward pathway and motivation.
What is dopamine?
This term describes physical symptoms such as tremors, sweating, and anxiety after stopping alcohol.
What are withdrawal symptoms?
These receptors in the brain are activated by opioids and cause pain relief and euphoria.
What are mu-opioid receptors?
This neurotransmitter is significantly increased by cocaine, producing intense euphoria.
What is dopamine?
This common phrase describes identifying people, places, and things that trigger substance use.
What are “triggers”?
This part of the brain is responsible for judgment and impulse control and is often impaired in addiction.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Long-term heavy alcohol use can lead to this neurological condition caused by thiamine deficiency.
What is Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome?
This partial opioid agonist is commonly used in MAT to reduce cravings and withdrawal.
What is buprenorphine?
Chronic methamphetamine use may lead to this severe dental health condition.
What is “meth mouth”?
A client learning to identify distorted thoughts that contribute to relapse is using this type of therapy.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
This survival-based brain region drives habitual behaviors and plays a major role in compulsive substance use.
What is the basal ganglia?
This medication reduces cravings for alcohol by modulating glutamate receptors.
What is acamprosate?
his medication rapidly reverses opioid overdose by displacing opioids from receptors.
What is naloxone?
This condition involves hallucinations and delusions caused by heavy stimulant use.
What is stimulant-induced psychosis?
This 12-step fellowship emphasizes abstinence, peer support, and spirituality.
What is AA or NA?
Chronic drug use leads to this process in which the brain adjusts to ongoing substance exposure, lowering sensitivity to pleasure.
What is tolerance (neuroadaptation)?
This medication blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol and is available in an oral or injectable form.
What is naltrexone or Vivitrol?
Street opioids are frequently contaminated with this extremely potent synthetic opioid.
What is fentanyl?
Crack cocaine differs from powder cocaine primarily because it is consumed in this form.
What is smoked?
This concept describes returning to old thinking patterns before physical relapse occurs.
What is emotional relapse?
This system of the brain is responsible for processing emotions and is highly activated in cravings and triggers.
What is the limbic system?
This term describes the cognitive, mood, and sleep disturbances that may appear for weeks to months after quitting drinking.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
This evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction includes medication, counseling, and behavioral therapies.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
This behavioral therapy is most supported by evidence for treating stimulant addictions.
What is contingency management?
This term describes the process by which the brain begins restoring balance after long-term substance use.
What is neuroplastic recovery?