Medical Concerns
The number 1 medical concern when it comes to opioid use disorder.
What is Death by overdose?
These are the primary functions of Dopamine.
What causes feelings of pleasure/ reward?
The persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences. Substance use disorders are characterized by problems such as chronic guilt; an inability to reduce or stop consuming the substance(s) despite repeated attempts; driving while intoxicated; and physiological withdrawal symptoms.
What is substance use disorder?
The most widely used mood altering drugs in our society.
What is alcohol, caffeine and nicotine?
The unusual and often uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with the first 6 weeks of sobriety, following chronic heavy use of mood-altering substances.
What is withdrawal
The organ most susceptible to damage from alcohol that isn't the liver.
What is the Brain
This is due to the brain using sugar to function and alcohol being simple sugars
This is the mind-altering substance that alters how the brain responds to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates emotions, moods, and perceptions.
LSD, or any hallucinogen
The primary mental health concern among populations that abuse alcohol and/or cocaine.
What are depression and related symptoms leading to suicide?
What illicit substance is still used in hospitals and urgent care clinics ONLY, in eye, ear, nose, and mouth surgeries?
Cocaine
Cocaine was first developed as an anesthetic in 1859 in Germany.
A self-help organization started by Bill W, a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob, a surgeon from Ohio; two struggling alcoholics, in 1935.
What is alcoholics anonymous?
According to the CDC, 115 people die every day from this substance.
What is opioid overdose?
This substance damages the linings of the veins and arteries and can lead to chronic headaches as blood flow to the brain is restricted. That damage can also cause blood clots, which can lead to a stroke.
Cocaine, methamphetamine
These are concerning behaviors/ mental health issues among the population that abuse stimulants.
What is Anger, Aggression, Mania, sexual aggression?
What illicit substance was first synthesized by The Bayer Company in 1898?
Heroin
Synthesized in Germany
The unusual and often annoying symptoms that are associated within the first 18 months of sobriety, following chronic heavy use of mood-altering substances.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Or:
PAWS
Though symptoms of withdrawal can make one FEEL like they are going to die, these substances (once abused) may actually lead to death in withdrawal for a small percentage of people.
What are alcohol and benzodiazepines?
Roughly 5% of people with severe alcohol or sedative use disorder with develop seizures, and these seizures can lead to death.
The "layperson's" term for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, caused by a thiamine deficiency often found in chronic users of alcohol. The effects can be reversable if symptoms are caught early enough.
What is "wet brain?"
What category of drug mimics psychosis, but these effects usually disappear as the drug wears off?
Hallucinogens
What drug did German scientists synthesize methadone during World War II, due to a shortage of morphine?
Methadone.
Methadone was introduced into the United States in 1947 as an analgesic (Dolophine).
The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations.
What are coping skills?
These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and persistent in solving problems.
A unique health concern directly caused by methamphetamine use.
What are dental problems: cavities, gum disease, ulcers, oral thrush, losing teeth.
This is due to Methamphetamine having an effect of decreasing saliva production.
Seizures and cardiac arrest are the two leading causes of death among users of this substance.
Long-term use of this drug can lead to the development of psychotic symptoms—such as paranoia—that worsen with continued use.
What is cocaine?
What severe mental health disorder can be "activated" by high concentrations of THC in the body?
Psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, hearing voices. These symptoms, when activated, are permanent.
A legal, mood-altering drug that is known to be more difficult to quit than Heroin.
What is nicotine?
But it is achievable!
External or internal cues, emotions, people, places, and things that cause a person in recovery to crave drugs and perhaps even relapse.
What are "Triggers?"
In recovery it is crucial to know our triggers and develop corresponding coping skills to use when we are triggered. It is best to avoid known triggers.