Chemicals 101
This is the pleasure chemical in our brains that plays a major role in substance abuse and addiction.
Dopamine
What is a stimulant? (what does it do?)
Increase brain activity, speed up heart and respiratory rate
*bonus points if mentioned that it increases the availability of dopamine and/or norepinephrine
What are 2 productive ways that you can handle a craving?
Use coping skills like distraction, deep breathing, reaching out for support, or changing environments.
What does DUI stand for?
Driving Under the Influence
Learning to schedule and provide a structure of activities that support your recovery in an effort to avoid excessive downtime
staying busy
These are responsible for pain relief and pleasure, and are most impacted by opioids and alcohol
Endorphins
What is the most commonly used drug in the United States?
Alcohol
Name 2 external triggers
Certain friends, places, social media, music, or specific events
How can substance use effect decision making?
Impairs decision making abilities, and increases the likelihood of risky or impulsive behaviors
Excuses/reasons that our addictive brain gives us to move us closer to relapse?
relapse justification
What's the diffference between Opiates and Opioids?
This section of the brain isn't fully developed until at least 25, and is responsible for planning, impulse control, and decision making.
frontal lobe
This term describes a feeling people get when the demands of day to day life get overwhelming. This is the most common trigger people experience each day and can be a gateway for other unhelpful emotions.
stress
What is one sign of an unhealthy support?
Encourages use, minimizes recovery, pressures boundaries
The concept of becoming nostalgic when thinking about past use and dwelling on things like "how good it felt"(We typically remember these feelings to be better than what they actually were and this can be dangerous)
romanticizing
What is the medicine called that is used to reverse an opioid overdose?
Narcan
*bonus points if Naloxone was mentioned
What is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 45?
Drug Overdose
What does HALT stand for? And why is it important to know?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
These are times when we may be at a higher risk of using
True or false - substance use can cause the development or worsening of mental health disorders
True
This is the series of words used to describe how a trigger turns into a behavior if left unchecked (4 parts)
trigger, thought, craving, use
This neurotransmitter functions as a relaxant, responsible for controlling stress and siezures. Impacted by benzos, alcohol, and barbiturates (sedatives)
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
This occurs when a person has a chemical need for the drug and needs it to function.
physical dependence
One of the most significant parts of recovery, this phrase discusses the importance of living in the present, not focusing on the past, or worrying about the future
One day at a time
Name 3 signs or symptoms that someone is overdosing
cold, clammy skin
constricted pupils
blue-ish skin or lips
unconsciousness
slowed, labored breathing
These two words, defined as "feeling bad for something you have done" and "feeling bad about who you are", are two of the most significant triggering emotions for people in recovery. (and which is which)
guilt & shame
guilt: feeling bad for something you have done, shame: feeling bad about who you are