The Brain
What is the brain made up of?
neurons
What does PAWS stand for?
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
What is the biggest risk of increased tolerance?
overdosing
What is nature versus nurture?
Nature is who you are as a person including your personality, DNA, etc. Nurture is how your environment influences your characteristics such as some mannerisms, learning things from watching others in your environment, etc.
What are the 3 phases of addiction?
early, middle and late
What neurotransmitter do drugs usually affect?
dopamine
a couple of months to multiple years
What is withdrawal from alcohol also called?
hangover
What is a substance use disorder also called?
What are the 4 phases of recovery?
early, middle, late, and maintenance
What does the limbic system control?
emotions, motivation, and feelings of pleasure
What are the two stages of detox?
acute withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal symptoms
What are the three substances that are dangerous to withdraw from without 24/7 medical supervision?
alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines
What is one way in which your mental health might influence your drug use?
People often use drugs to self-medicate and it works in the short-term, but then makes it worse in the long-term.
What are 3 signs that you're in the early phase of addiction?
look forward to using to relieve stress; becomes preoccupied with substance use; experience blackouts; continue to use substances while others stop; tolerance increases
What are 3 ways that drugs work in the brain?
imitates neurotransmitters, causes the release of neurotransmitters, prevents neurotransmitters from turning off
What is acute withdrawal?
physical symptoms that can last from a few days to two weeks after stopping alcohol or other drugs.
What is obsession?
When we're not using, we're thinking about the substance we use most often, or the substance that produces the type of high we seek the most. It's the only thing that matters. We pull away from family and friends and everything that was once important because the addiction consumes us. Our thoughts return to getting the substance and using it even when we try to focus on other things.
When is a substance abuse disorder diagnosed?
when an individual's continued use of alcohol or other drugs causes problems that interfere with their ability to function in daily life
What are 3 signs that you're in the late phase of recovery?
find a new circle of sober friends; build healthy relationships; find a stable living environment; take a daily inventory; seek and accept feedback
How does the brain's pleasure circuit teach us to keep taking alcohol and other drugs?
Our brains are wired to do things that keep us alive, including those activities that give us pleasure and reward. When this wiring is "turned on," the brain notices that something important is happening and teaches us to do it again and again without thinking. It also stops producing dopamine naturally, which means that the person's ability to experience any pleasure without drugs is reduced.
the stage in which the brain adjusts to life without substances. It's mostly psychological and emotional symptoms like mood swings, low motivation, and low self-esteem. The symptoms usually become less frequent and severe over time.
What are the five parts of the pattern of addiction?
obsession, loss of control, increased tolerance, withdrawal, preoccupation
What is 3 symptoms of a SUD?
trying unsuccessfully to quit; having constant cravings; taking more of the drug as your tolerance increases; spending excessive time seeking the drug and recovering from its effects; giving up other things for the drug; continuing to use despite the consequences; increased tolerance, experiencing withdrawal symptoms; taking the drug to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms
What are 3 signs that you're in the early phase of recovery?
recognize you have a problem; stop using alcohol and other drugs, even when it's accessible; take responsibility for past behaviors; begin to challenge thoughts and core beliefs; engage in healthier behaviors; begin attending recovery support groups; find a sponsor/mentor