What Makes an Addiction?
Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical symptoms when use is stopped
Withdrawal
The oldest known intoxicating substance used specifically for recreational purposes (even dating back to biblical times)
Alcohol
an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing for a substance or addictive behavior
2000's, this artist was referred to as the King of Pop, died due to complications from prescription drugs in 2009
Michael Jackson
The rates of heart disease, stroke, HIV, Hepatitis, and mental health disorders move in this direction when addiction is also present
Increase, go up, get worse
It takes more and more of a substance to get the same effect which often fuels the desire and need for using larger amounts
Tolerance
Type of drugs used medicinally for thousands of years to relieve physical pain but nowadays often abused to relieve emotional pain
Opioids
You may have went backwards a little bit but still you didn't completely relapse
Lapse, Slip, Setback
1990's Singer of one of the most popular grunge bands in the 1990s shot himself in the head in 1994 at the age of 27, addicted to heroin
Kurt Cobain
Whatever the substance is, once addiction to that substance occurs for long enough, this important organ drastically changes the way it functions
Failure to recognize the truth about a problem, particularly an addiction, is often referred to as this
Denial
Even though life may be spiraling out of control with dependency clearly increasing, some people may believe that they are not addicted just because they may be obtaining drugs this legal, medical way
Prescription
the fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something
Abstinence
1980s John Belushi was a legendary actor and comedian who shocked the world when he overdosed and died from mixing cocaine and heroin in 1982 at the height of his fame. He was on the original lineup of what longstanding TV show (still airs today)
Saturday Night Live
This neurotransmitter is closely linked to the mind's reward system and is commonly associated with pleasure and reinforcement
Dopamine
Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly
Consequences
The vast majority of people who use this legal plant use it as often as 10 to 20 times a day even though it is common knowledge that it is the number one killer of all addictive substance in the world
Tobacco
With more severe addiction, particularly opioid, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming, it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this
Medication or Medication Assisted Treatment
1970s. This iconic musician is one of the top earning dead celebrities today, still earning over 50 million a year for his music despite dying from complications of prescription drug addiction back in 1977
Elvis Presley
These hormones often referred to as the "feel-good" hormones, are released during activities that promote well-being, like exercise, laughter, creative expression, and socialization
endorphins, also dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin
When you spend too much, use too much or too often and life's problems are steadily piling up, it is a good sign you have lost this
Control
Stimulants such as cocaine, speed, and methamphetamine, when taken for long periods can induce a mental state of hallucinations and extreme paranoid delusions called
They say relapse doesn't suddenly happen out of nowhere -- It's not an event, it is often much more of a gradual ________________
Process, Progression
1960s This world famous movie star shocked the world in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose which some say was accidental, some say was suicide and others say was murder.
Marilyn Monroe
This highly advanced and complex area of the human brain is associated with decision-making and impulse control, and is strongly impacted by addiction and intoxication
Prefrontal Cortex