Neuroscience of Addiction
Repeated substance use damages the brain's reward pathway by releasing extremely high volume surges of this neurotransmitter.
What is dopamine?
This medicine can be administered to an individual experiencing an opioid overdose to reverse the effects of the overdose.
What is Narcan/Naloxone?
There are many benefits to recovery. Name two.
What is: Improved mental health, Improved physical health, Increased financial stability, Improved relationships, Improved self-esteem, Deeper spiritual connection, Increased happiness and purpose, Increased motivation, etc...
This healthy activity provides endorphins, supports regulation of various body/brain systems, and supports in body/brain recovery over time.
What is exercise?
The coolest counselor at RCA is named this.
Who is Haley?
This nervous system response is activated during stress and cravings.
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System/ "Fight or Flight" response?
True or False: It is unsafe to administer Narcan/Naloxone to an individual unless you are 100% certain they are experiencing an opioid overdose.
Cognitive functions such focus, memory, impulse control, and decision making improve drastically after approximately this long in recovery.
What is 3-12 months?
This practice involves paying attention to the present moment without judgement.
What is Mindfulness?
"People, Places and, Things" refers to common categories of this.
What are triggers?
This ability of the brain forms new neural pathways and strengthens neural pathways in order to adapt to change. Even after years of substance use, recovery can lead to new neural pathways and improved cognitive function because of this.
What is neuroplasticity?
After the first dose of Narcan/Naloxone is administered you should wait this long before administering a second dose if symptoms have not significantly improved.
What is 2 minutes? The second dose should be administered if the individual is still unconscious or struggling with breathing and emergency services have not yet arrived.
In most individuals in recovery, the brain's reward pathway returns to healthy levels after this length of time.
What is 1-2 years?
Setting and holding healthy limits with others is called this.
What are Boundaries?
Why did the car think it was okay that it was addicted to break-fluid?
It said it could stop at anytime.
While often significantly damaged during active addiction, this area of the brain- responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and judgement - heals dramatically within the first year of sobriety.
What is the Pre-Frontal Cortex?
Name two signs of an opioid overdose.
What is: Blue lips, individual is unresponsive to touch or voice, pinpoint pupils, slow/irregular/stopped breathing, slow/irregular/stopped heartbeat, pale/clammy skin
This type of holistic therapy is especially beneficial for trauma as it provides non-verbal forms of expression and grounding/relaxation simultaneously.
What is art therapy?
Why did the duck go to rehab?
!DAILY DOUBLE!
He had a quack addiction.
This area of the brain is responsible for learning and memory retention. While it is often significantly damaged during active addition, it heals and strengthens in recovery.
!DAILY DOUBLE!
What is the Hippocampus?
The effects of Narcan/naloxone typically last this amount of time. (Time Range)
What is 30 to 90 minutes? The effects of some opioids can last longer than the effects of Narcan/naloxone, so an individual who suffered an opioid overdose still requires emergency medical attention even if responsive to Narcan/naloxone.
Mindfulness practices strengthen this capacity to stay present with discomfort.
This stress hormone can increase cravings when levels are high.
What is Cortisol?