Addiction
What is the main neurotransmitter that is involved in the reward/addiction pathway?
Dopamine
Is alcohol considered a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen?
depressant
The main psychoactive chemical in the marijuana plant is called _______
THC
T/F Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the US
T – tobacco kills more than 480,000 people per year in the US which is more than alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined
Why do golfers wear two pairs of pants?
In case they get a hole in one.
T/F People choose to become addicted to substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
F – while there are behaviors that occur that can lead to an addiction, such as increased use of substances, it has yet to be heard of someone becoming an addict on purpose “when I grow up I want to be addicted to heroin”
T/F It is possible to die from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
T – alcohol depresses the system so much that when it is absent, there is a risk of seizure and DTs which can lead to death
Is cannabis depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen?
Hallucinogen
T/F Nicotine-only vape pens are not harmful outside of nicotine being addictive.
F – vape pens contain volatile organic compounds, heavy metals such as nickel and lead, cancer causing chemicals, and diacetyl which is a flavoring compound linked to lung disease
Why can’t a leopard hide?
He’s always spotted.
Why is addiction considered a disease?
It changes the way the brain works by hijacking the area of the brain that tells us what is needed to survive. It will rewrite the brain into thinking the substance is needed to survive.
How long does alcohol take to reach the brain after consuming it?
About 20 minutes
T/F Marijuana causes an increase in testosterone.
F – it will decrease
Name three long term effects of nicotine use.
Stroke, cancer, blindness, birth defects, yellow teeth, diabetes, COPD, reduced immune function, heart disease, reduced fertility, pneumonia...
Why should you not write with a broken pencil?
Because it’s pointless.
Name one criteria of a substance use disorder.
*any DSM5 answer will do
How many servings of alcohol are in a fifth?
17 – there are 25.6 ounces in a fifth of alcohol and one serving of alcohol is 1.5 ounces
Name three symptoms of cannabis withdrawal.
Irritability, trouble sleeping, trouble eating, increased feelings of depression, increased anxiety, sweating, cravings, headache…
In Washington State, is the percent of high schoolers who use vape pens closer to 20% or 40%?
20% - the national average is 11% (2020)
Why can’t you explain puns to kleptomaniacs?
They always take things literally
Addiction is easier to develop in an adolescent brain, explain why.
Adolescent brains are still under construction, especially the PFC, which typically communicates with the animal side of our brain. The messages from the PFC are extremely slow compared to the animal side of our brain. (stop/go switch)
Explain why mixing a stimulant with alcohol is so dangerous.
A stimulant such as caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, making the user miss important warning signs that the body is shutting down, in other words, it is easier to overdose.
T/F It is possible to overdose using cannabis.
T – an overdose means the dose that was taken was too high for your body which can result in vomiting, hallucinations, psychosis, and such a high heart rate that you think you are dying.
Why is ammonia added to cigarettes?
Ammonia compounds will increase the speed that nicotine hits the brain, essentially free-basing nicotine. This is similar to crack cocaine as opposed to cocaine use.
Why did the burglar rob the bakery?
Because they needed the dough.