The brain and addiction
This neurotransmitter is most closely associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation in the brain.
What is dopamine?
This disorder is characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite.
A: What is Major Depressive Disorder?
This organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol.
A: What is the liver?
This synthetic opioid is often mixed into heroin or counterfeit pills and is significantly more potent than morphine.
A: What is fentanyl?
Long-term alcohol and opioid use can weaken this system, increasing vulnerability to infections and slower healing.
What is the immune system?
This part of the brain helps with decision-making, impulse control, and judgment, and is often impaired in addiction.
A: What is the prefrontal cortex?
This anxiety disorder involves excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least six months.
A: What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Opioids increase the risk of overdose by suppressing this vital bodily function.
A: What is breathing (respiration)?
This club drug, sometimes called “liquid ecstasy,” is a central nervous system depressant with a narrow margin between intoxication and overdose.
A: What is GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)?
Chronic stimulant use can lead to persistent damage to this organ, increasing the risk of arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy.
A: What is the heart?
This brain structure is involved in processing fear, stress, and emotional memories, often triggering cravings under stress.
What is the amygdala?
This disorder is associated with exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
A: What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Stimulant use can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure, raising the risk of this serious medical event.
A: What is a heart attack or stroke?
This dissociative anesthetic, sometimes misused recreationally, can cause hallucinations and dissociation from reality.
A: What is ketamine?
Long-term opioid use may cause chronic constipation by slowing this body system, sometimes leading to bowel obstruction.
A: What is the gastrointestinal system?
This term describes the brain’s ability to change and adapt over time, even after long-term substance use.
A: What is neuroplasticity?
This diagnosis involves periods of depression and hypomania, but not full manic episodes.
A: What is Bipolar II Disorder?
Long-term benzodiazepine use affects this system in the body, leading to tolerance and dependence.
A: What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
Originally developed as a veterinary sedative, this drug is increasingly found mixed with opioids and is not an opioid itself.
A: What is xylazine (tranq)?
Prolonged substance use can disrupt this hormone-regulating system, resulting in fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and metabolic changes.
A: What is the endocrine system?
Chronic substance use weakens communication between this brain region and the reward system, increasing impulsive behavior and relapse risk.
A: What is the prefrontal cortex?
This term describes mental health symptoms that are directly caused by substance use or withdrawal and may improve with sustained abstinence.
A: What is a substance-induced disorder?
Chronic alcohol use can lead to deficiencies in this vitamin, increasing the risk of neurological damage.
A: What is thiamine (Vitamin B1)?
This class of synthetic drugs is designed to mimic THC but often produces unpredictable and severe psychological effects.
A: What are synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., K2 or Spice)?
Repeated drug use can cause long-term narrowing or damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and poor circulation.
A: What is vascular damage (vasoconstriction and endothelial injury)?