The Science of Addiction
What neurotransmitter is central to the brain’s reward system, reinforcing pleasurable behaviors?
What is dopamine?
Which factor contributes 40–60% to addiction vulnerability?
What are genetics or family history?
Name one physical sign of substance withdrawal.
What are tremors, sweating, nausea, or anxiety?
Which prevention level focuses on avoiding substance use before it starts?
What is primary prevention?
Addiction is best treated through what kind of care model?
What is an interprofessional or interdisciplinary model?
Which brain circuit is commonly called the “reward pathway”?
What is the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?
Name one psychological risk factor for addiction.
What is depression, anxiety, or PTSD?
The CAGE questionnaire is primarily used to screen for what?
What is alcohol use disorder?
What are the three steps of the SBIRT model?
What are Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment?
Name one medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
What is methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone?
True or False: Addiction only affects the brain’s pleasure centers.
What is False? (It also impacts motivation, memory, and inhibitory control.)
Adolescents who start using substances before 18 are how many times more likely to develop addiction?
What is 4–7 times more likely?
What does SBIRT stand for?
What is Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment?
Give one example of a primary prevention strategy.
What is health education, stress management, or promoting healthy lifestyles?
What communication style avoids confrontation and builds motivation to change?
What is motivational interviewing?
Addiction is classified as what type of disorder?
What is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder?
Which environmental factor often leads people to use substances as a coping mechanism?
What is chronic stress, poverty, or trauma?
List two key nursing interventions during acute withdrawal.
What is monitor vital signs, ensure safety, prevent complications, assess suicide risk?
What is the goal of secondary prevention?
What is early detection and timely intervention before addiction progresses?
What type of language should nurses use to reduce stigma?
What is person-first language (e.g., “person with addiction”)?
What long-term neural change makes recovery from addiction difficult even after sobriety?
What are persistent alterations in motivation and learning circuits?
Name two interacting domains nurses should assess to determine addiction risk.
What are biological, psychological, and social factors?
Why should nurses use non-judgmental language when caring for patients with addiction?
Because stigma blocks trust and engagement in recovery.
What is the key principle behind tertiary prevention in addiction care?
What is supporting recovery and preventing relapse?
In one sentence — what’s the nurse’s ultimate goal in addiction care?
To promote recovery through safety, compassion, and empowerment.