Addiction Physiology Overview Reading

Understanding how drug and alcohol addiction affects your body can strengthen your commitment to recovery. This reading covers three key body systems and highlights common physical changes linked to substance use.

1. Cardiovascular System

• Blood Pressure & Heart Rate: Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine) often cause spikes in blood pressure and rapid heart rate, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines) can slow heart rate, leading to fatigue and dizziness.

• Blood Vessels: Chronic use of some substances damages the lining of blood vessels. This can lead to inflammation, reduced blood flow, and higher chances of clots or aneurysms.

• Long-Term Risks: Over time, weakened heart muscles, arrhythmias, and elevated cholesterol levels become more likely, potentially resulting in chronic heart disease.

2. Neurological System

• Brain Chemistry: Many drugs hijack the brain’s reward pathways by flooding neurotransmitters like dopamine. Repeated exposure rewires these pathways, making it harder to feel pleasure without the substance.

• Cognitive Function: Long-term use can impair memory, decision-making, and concentration. Recovery often brings gradual improvement, but some cognitive effects may persist.

• Mood & Mental Health: Substance use can lead to anxiety, depression, or mood swings. Withdrawal may intensify these symptoms before balance returns with sustained sobriety.

3. Hepatic (Liver) System

• Detoxification: The liver filters toxins from the blood. Heavy drinking or use of certain medications forces the liver to work overtime, creating scar tissue (fibrosis) that can progress to cirrhosis.

• Enzyme Changes: Chronic substance use alters enzyme production, affecting how quickly your body processes not only alcohol and drugs but also prescription medicines.

• Recovery & Regeneration: The liver has a remarkable ability to heal. After stopping alcohol, many people see improved liver function tests within weeks to months.

Key Takeaways

1. Different substances stress different body systems, but together they increase overall health risks.
2. Many physical changes are reversible with sobriety, motivating you to stay on track.
3. Awareness of these impacts helps you set realistic health goals during recovery.

Reflect & Respond

1. Which body system did you learn the most about today, and why?

1. Identify one health improvement you hope to see by remaining substance-free.

Body Impact Discussion Guide

Duration: 20 minutes
Materials: Whiteboard or flip chart, markers
Reference: Addiction Physiology Overview Reading

1. Setting the Stage (2 minutes)

• Invite everyone to settle in a circle and focus on insights from the reading.
• Remind the group: “We’re exploring how addiction affects our bodies. This discussion will help connect that knowledge to your recovery goals.”

2. Open-Ended Prompts (10 minutes)

1. Which Body System Resonated Most?
   • Prompt: “From the three systems—cardiovascular, neurological, hepatic—which one surprised you the most, and why?”
   • Follow-up: “How might understanding this system’s risks influence your daily choices?”
2. Real-Life Manifestations
   • Prompt: “What physical symptom or change have you experienced (or noticed in others) that aligns with what you read?”
   • Follow-up: “How did that symptom impact your mood, motivation, or cravings?”
3. Linking Physiology to Recovery
   • Prompt: “In what ways can knowing these body impacts support a specific recovery goal you have?”
   • Follow-up: “Can you identify one small action—nutrition, exercise, medical check-up—you could take this week to address a body system you learned about?”

3. Reflection and Personal Commitment (6 minutes)

• Ask each participant to complete the prompt silently or in writing:
  "One physical health improvement I commit to working on is __________, because it will help me __________."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Go around the circle; invite volunteers to share their commitment.

4. Synthesis & Key Takeaways (2 minutes)

• On the whiteboard, list common themes from commitments (e.g., better sleep, balanced meals, doctor’s visit).
• Summarize: “By caring for our bodies, we strengthen our recovery foundation. Let these commitments guide your actions this week.”

Next, we’ll transition to the Body Impact Quiz to reinforce today’s learning.

Body Impact Quiz Answer Key

This answer key provides the correct answers for objective items and guidance for evaluating open-response and confidence items.

Question 1

Prompt: Which body system is primarily affected by stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine?
Correct Answer: Cardiovascular
Rationale: Stimulants raise blood pressure and heart rate, stressing the heart and blood vessels and increasing risk of heart attack or stroke.

Question 2

Prompt: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with the brain’s reward pathways that drugs hijack?
Correct Answer: Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine is the key “feel-good” neurotransmitter; many addictive substances trigger large releases of dopamine, reinforcing drug-seeking behavior.

Question 3

Prompt: Explain one way the liver begins to recover after an individual stops drinking alcohol.

Scoring Guidelines: Award up to 4 points based on inclusion of the following elements:
• Recognition of the liver’s regenerative capacity (e.g., scar tissue can shrink, healthy cells can repopulate).
• Reference to a measurable change (e.g., improved liver enzyme levels on blood tests).
• Time frame mention (e.g., improvements seen within weeks to months).
• Clear connection to reduced workload on the liver (e.g., less toxin processing).

Sample Response:
“After quitting alcohol, damaged liver cells regenerate and scar tissue (fibrosis) begins to shrink. Within a few weeks, liver enzyme tests (like ALT and AST) often improve, showing that the liver’s detoxification function is returning to normal.”

Question 4

Prompt: How confident do you feel in recognizing signs of cardiovascular damage due to substance use?

Scoring Guidance: This is a self-assessment (Likert) item with no right or wrong answer. Use participants’ ratings to:

• Identify their perceived learning needs.
• Tailor follow-up instruction or referrals.

Interpretation tips:
• Low scores (1–2): May need additional education or referral to medical evaluation.
• Mid scores (3): Some awareness, but reinforce key signs.
• High scores (4–5): Participant feels ready to recognize warning signs and advocate for their health.

Question 5

Prompt: Chronic heavy drinking can lead to scar tissue in the liver known as what?
Correct Answer: Fibrosis
Rationale: Fibrosis is the formation of scar tissue in the liver; if unchecked, it can progress to cirrhosis.

Question 6

Prompt: Identify one specific health improvement you hope to achieve by remaining substance-free and explain why this matters to your recovery.

Scoring Guidelines: Award up to 4 points based on:

1. Specificity of the improvement (e.g., better sleep, lower blood pressure, improved memory).
2. Connection to recovery goals (e.g., “Better sleep will help me manage cravings.”).
3. Realism (goal is achievable within a reasonable timeframe).
4. Personal relevance (reflects participant’s own health priorities).

Sample Response:
“I want to lower my blood pressure to under 130/80 mmHg by exercising regularly and reducing salt. This matters because having a healthier heart will give me more energy for work and reduce my risk of stroke, supporting my long-term recovery.”

Total Points (Excluding Likert): 1–2: 1 point each; 3 & 6: up to 4 points each.
Maximum Objective Score: 2 (MC) + 1 (MC #5) + 4 + 4 = 11 points

Use this key to ensure consistent grading and to highlight areas for further discussion in recovery planning.