Science and Addiction
The rates of heart disease, stroke, HIV, Hepatitis, and mental disorders move in this direction when addiction is also present
Increase, go up, or get worse
This recovery strategy involves doing activities you used to enjoy (even if they feel pointless at first) because action comes before emotion
Behavioral activation
This term describes an intense desire for a specific experience, like doom scrolling, eating chocolate, or using a substance
Craving
The brain's job is to seek _____ and avoid ____
pleasure & pain
Having a parent or close relative with addiction increases your risk because of this factor
Family history/environment
Whatever the substance is, once addiction to that substance occurs for long enough this important organ drastically changes the way it functions
Brain
These small sensory pleasures, like noticing warm sunlight or hearing a favorite song clip, help nudge dopamine without overwhelm
Micro-joys
Cravings often show up during these emotional states
Negative emotions (stress, sadness, boredom)
This neurotransmitter is closely linked to the mind's reward system and is commonly associated with pleasure, survival, and reinforcement
Dopamine
Stress, trauma, or feeling anxious can lead people to use substances for this reason
Coping with negative emotions; emotional escape
This phenomenon occurs when the body adapts to a substance and experiences negative symptoms when the substance is removed
Withdrawal
This physical activity boosts dopamine and BDNF, a protein that supports neuroplasticity and brain health
Exercise
This term describes the brain’s tendency to increase dopamine output when an expected reward doesn’t arrive, making cravings stronger
Reward prediction error
Substances like alcohol, weed, stimulants, and nicotine ______ your brain with dopamine, teaching your brain to chase shortcuts and ignore everyday pleasures
flood; overwhelm
Hanging out with friends who use substances or being in places where it’s easy to get them is an example of this influence
Peer pressure or environment
The temporary inability to feel pleasure from things that once mattered
A cold shower or plunge for 30–120 seconds can increase baseline dopamine levels by up to ____% for hours
250%
The ability to sense internal signals like hunger or fatigue can help reduce misdirected cravings when improved
Interoception
This part of the brain, including the amygdala and hippocampus, links emotional memories to cravings like “chocolate = comfort.”
The limbic system
This term describes the process where repeated exposure to a substance reduces its effect, leading to the need for higher doses
Tolerance
Substances like nicotine or alcohol can change this chemical balance in the body, making quitting harder
neurotransmitters or brain chemicals
Sharing space or having an honest check-in with someone releases this hormone, stabilizes mood, and reminds you you’re not alone
Oxytocin
This process of rewiring the brain by forming new associations through healthier choices makes old habits easier to replace
Neuroplasticity
This highly advanced and complex area of the human brain is associated with decision-making and impulse control, and is strongly impacted by addiction and intoxication
Prefrontal Cortex
This type of influence comes from shared beliefs and norms in a community that can make substance use seem normal
Cultural influence