True or False
True or False: minerals, often found in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, helps to stabilize mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
What is True?
magnesium helps with anxiety by supporting the body's ability to calm down, reduce stress hormones, improve sleep, and balance mood-regulating neurotransmitters. It's one of those nutrients that's crucial for mental and physical health, especially for those dealing with anxiety.
This medication is often prescribed to people addicted to alcohol to prevent drinking by causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.
What is disulfiram (Antabuse)?
This type of therapy, involving one-on-one or group counseling, is a cornerstone of addiction recovery.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
How might one manage constipation?
increase water intake, get 30 minutes of physical activity, eat high-fiber foods
Myth or Fact: A "detox" diet is essential for recovery and should be followed for a month to reset your body.
Myth—there's no need for extreme detox diets; a balanced, nutritious diet is more effective for long-term recovery.
True or False: Addiction is solely a result of weak willpower.
False addiction is a complex condition that involves psychological, biological, and environmental factors.
This neurotransmitter is commonly associated with pleasure and is involved in addiction.
What is dopamine?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends this treatment, where individuals take medications to help manage cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
MAT is considered one of the most effective treatment options for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), though it can also be applied to other types of addiction (such as alcohol use disorder). The goal of MAT is to help individuals reduce or eliminate substance use, improve their quality of life, and support long-term recovery.
How might one manage low blood pressure?
stay hydrated, change positions slowly
Myth or Fact: Cutting out carbs completely will help you maintain mental clarity and improve mood.
Myth—carbs, especially whole grains, are important for maintaining energy and mood stability.
True or False: People with mental health disorders are more likely to develop substance use disorders.
True—mental health and substance use disorders are often co-occurring.
Long-term alcohol use or drug use can cause this condition, where the liver becomes scarred and damaged.
What is cirrhosis?
These medications are often prescribed to help reduce cravings for alcohol and opiates.
What are medications like naltrexone or methadone?
How might one manage dry mouth?
sip on water, use lozenges, use OTC mouth moisturizing products (i.e, Biotene mouthwash)
Myth or Fact: Consuming too much sugar can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Fact—high sugar intake can spike blood sugar levels and negatively affect mood.
True or False: vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, leafy greens, and berries, is essential for mood regulation and the production of serotonin.
What is True?
The brain is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress, which occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radicals (harmful molecules) and antioxidants (protective molecules). Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, meaning it helps protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals, which can impair neurotransmitter function.
High levels of oxidative stress in the brain have been linked to neuroinflammation and mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Vitamin C helps to combat oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals, thus protecting brain cells (neurons) and supporting the healthy function of neurotransmitters, including serotonin.
The brain is one of the most metabolically active organs in the body, requiring a constant supply of antioxidants to maintain healthy function.
Vitamin C’s antioxidant action helps improve cognitive function, and studies suggest it may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and depression.
People withdrawing from stimulants may experience this psychological symptom, marked by sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in everyday activities.
What is depression?
This is the term for a substance that helps prevent the action of a drug, reducing its effectiveness.
What is an antagonist?
How might one manage weight gain?
Get 30 minutes of physical activity daily, choose more unprocessed foods, increase intake of vegetables/fruits
Myth or Fact: Medication like naltrexone helps reduce the urge to drink alcohol or use opiates by blocking the effects of the substances.
Fact—Naltrexone works by blocking the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, which can help reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
True or False: fatty acids, commonly found in fishlike salmon, is essential for brain health and can help reduce depression.
What is True: omega-3 fatty acid?
This withdrawal phase can last for months after substance cessation, marked by symptoms like depression, fatigue, and cravings.
What is post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)?
PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome) refer to a set of symptoms that can persist for weeks, months, or even longer after someone stops using substances like alcohol, drugs (such as opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines), or alcohol. While acute withdrawal refers to the immediate, intense symptoms that occur within hours or days of substance cessation, PAWS represents the longer-term effects that can linger even after the body has physically detoxed from the substance.
This is the process of your body breaking down and removing medications.
What is metabolism?
How might one manage fatigue or insomnia?
Talk to a doctor about changing when you take medications (day vs night), stop taking naps or take short naps (20 min) to combat fatigue or increase physical activity and avoid caffeine two hours prior to bedtime to combat insomnia.
Myth or Fact: Antidepressants immediately start working and show results within a few days.
Myth—It typically takes 2–6 weeks for antidepressants to start showing their full effects.
the full effects some notice some results sooner than others