Addiction as a Brain Disease
This is the Doctor who wrote the Doctor's Opinion in 1939, writing about the manifestation of an allergy and the phenomenon of craving.
Who is Dr. William Silkworth?
All drugs of abuse cause a surge in this neurochemical connected with the brain's pleasure center
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What is Dopamine?
This is the first action, which is essential that must happen in order for the brain to begin healing.
What is abstinence?
When you come into contact with cues associated with your use, the pathways associated with drugs and alcohol are stimulated, causing one to feel ______
What is triggered/ a trigger?
This is alone is not sufficient to overcome alcoholism or addiction
What is willpower?
Addiction is often described as a chronic, ___________, progressive and fatal disease.
What is primary?
Mood is primarily regulated by this important neurotransmitter.
What is Serotonin?
After abstinence is achieved, these bothersome symptoms of healing and repair are part of this recognized syndrome, and can last up to 18 months in recovery.
What are Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) symptoms?
Routes that send information from one region of the brain to another
What are neural pathways?
Pre-alcoholic, prodromal, crucial and chronic
What are the 4 Phases of Addiction as described by Dr. Jellinek?
This cycle is made up of: 1) Binge/intoxication, 2) Withdrawal/Negative Affect and 3) Preoccupation/Anticipation
What is the Addiction Cycle?
This is the chemical that “gives permission” to the limbic system to engage in pleasurable activities
What is Glutamate?
In general, this is the amount of abstinence it takes for the brain to achieve a significant repair.
What is 6-10 months?
These are created in recovery, as we rewire our brains by engaging in different behaviors
What are new pathways?
We can combat stress by reducing high levels of cortisol in the brain using this transcendental technique.
What is meditation?
This is part of the brain that is hijacked in the process of addition.
What is the reward pathway, or limbic system or meso-limbic system?
This part of the brain is known as the "habit circuitry" and contributes to compulsive substance seeking associated with addiction
What are the Basal Ganglia?
Brain Plasticity, more precisely, neuroplasticity refers to this phenomenon.
What is the process of the brain's healing / rewiring?
Part of the brain compromised by addiction and involved in executive functioning, impulsivity, emotional regulation, learning and memory, decision making.
What is the pre-frontal cortex?
This notable report categorized addiction as a chronic illness
What is the Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health (November 2016)?
The Surgeon General's Report in 2016 writes that these are five factors that impact the development of the disease of addiction
What is genetic, developmental, behavioral, social, and environmental factors? (We will accept any 3 of these)
These feelings that might occur as a result of having low levels of GABA (anxiety regulators) in the brain.
What are anxiety, panic attacks and/or phobias?
Four actions you can take to help the brain’s healing process include these.
What are talk therapy, fellowship, 12-step, meditation, medication, service, nutrition, exercise, etc.?
These are the two portions of the brain that create the feeling of being 'triggered'
What is the amygdala and hippocampus?
This is the part of the brain that shuts down in the face of extreme stress.
What is the PFC (Pre-Frontal Cortex)?