Brain Basics
These are the cells that carry electrical messages through the brain.
What are neurons
This neurotransmitter is often called the brain's reward or motivation chemical.
What is dopamine?
Drugs don't create new brain systems—they do this to the systems you already have.
What is hijack them?
A person uses drugs because they're bored and want excitement. This neurotransmitter is most involved.
What is dopamine?
This healthy habit helps your brain naturally produce and regulate neurotransmitters.
What is exercise?
These chemicals carry messages across the tiny gap between neurons.
What are neurotransmitters
This neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, sleep, and emotional stability.
What is serotonin?
After repeated drug use, the brain begins needing the drug just to feel this.
What is normal?
Someone experiences racing thoughts and constant anxiety because the brain's braking system isn't working well.
What is GABA?
Getting enough of this is one of the most important ways to support brain healing.
What is sleep?
These structures receive neurotransmitters, much like an inbox receives text messages.
What are receptor sites?
This neurotransmitter acts like the brain's brakes by slowing things down.
What is GABA?
This stage of recovery happens because the brain is slowly restoring its chemistry after substance use.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
Someone has trouble sleeping, feels depressed, and has difficulty regulating emotions. This neurotransmitter may be low.
What is serotonin?
Instead of fighting your brain during recovery, the goal is to do this.
What is support it?
This process "recycles" neurotransmitters after the message has been delivered.
What is reuptake?
This neurotransmitter helps control alertness, attention, and the body's stress response.
What is norepinephrine?
When drug use causes a huge release of neurotransmitters, the brain often experiences this afterward because supplies are depleted.
What is a crash?
Someone can't focus, has low energy, and struggles to pay attention. This neurotransmitter may be underactive.
What is norepinephrine?
This combination of routine, food, sleep, connection, therapy, and exercise helps the brain recover.
What is self-care (or healthy recovery habits)?
The brain contains approximately this many different neurotransmitters, each with a unique shape and function.
What is 64?
This neurotransmitter plays an important role in muscle movement, memory, and learning.
What is acetylcholine?
This is the reason many people feel depressed, anxious, or unmotivated early in recovery.
What is neurotransmitter stabilization?
A person wasn't necessarily trying to get high—they were trying to feel this.
What is normal?
Rather than saying "my brain is broken," recovery teaches that the brain did this in order to survive.
What is adapt?