Reference no: EM133415623

Question 1. Serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline are neurotransmitters in the brain, dopamine, for example, is a major neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in several brain functions, including learning, motor control, reward, emotion, and executive functions (Sheffler et al., 2022). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates multiple neuropsychological processes and neural activity, serotonin also has implications that affect gastrointestinal processes like bowel motility, bladder control, and cardiovascular function ( Sheffler et al., 2022). Adrenaline or epinephrine also plays an important role in the body and according to the Clevland Clinic (2023) it is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter It plays a role in metabolism, attention, focus, panic, and excitement. Adrenaline is released when the brain senses danger and stimulates the fight or flight response the neurotransmitters that carry that signal down the spine are called norepinephrine they affect major organs of the body, pupils dilate, skin becomes pale as blood is diverted to areas that need more oxygen, like the muscles, breathing quickens, the heart pumps harder and blood pressure increases, then the norepinephrine reaches the adrenal gland releasing adrenaline which then travels to the same organs to continue reacting until the danger is past (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Capellino et al. (2020) stated that epinephrine belongs, together with norepinephrine and dopamine, to the group of catecholamines, norepinephrine and subsequently epinephrine is synthesized from dopamine. In the film The Highjacked Brain, Doctoroff Media Group (1998) stated that when substances are introduced, the brain is fooled, or short-circuited because the drug gives them that sense of euphoria or well-being and it can be done reliably and repeatedly, which becomes a problem because by blasting the brain with more dopamine than it has ever seen before, it adapts and becomes dependent on the drug to the point where an individual can no longer feel okay without the drug. This is when a person becomes an addict and presents with drug-seeking behaviors. I watched my oldest boy change when he became addicted to methamphetamines, his behavior, moods, and body language all changed when his brain was highjacked and under the influence of drugs. He thought he was acting normal, but he would lose control of his motor skills and his speech was different, his pupils would dilate, he would often become paranoid and on edge, and there were always telltale signs to indicate that he was using. Now I understand why he was acting this way his neurotransmitters were highjacked by the drugs.

Question 2. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that also acts as a hormone and is responsible for carrying messages from the brain throughout the body. It has a key role in mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, healing wounds, bone health, blood clotting, and sex drive (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022). Dopamine is another type of monoamine neurotransmitter that has a key role as a "reward center" and has roles in other functions such as mood, motivation, movement, memory, attention and more (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022). Adrenaline is also known as Epinephrine and is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It has the role in the body's "fight or flight" response or can be used in medication to treat different life-threatening conditions (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022).

Serotonin has a role in the addiction and withdrawal process because it is involved in the reward system along with dopamine. When someone uses substances, dopamine is released creating pleasure and when this happens a lot of sometime the brain becomes desensitized to the hormone (Northpoint Seattle, 2022). This increases the addiction and symptoms of withdrawal when the individual stops using the substance. Another cause of addiction is the imbalance of neurotransmitters which is when hormones like serotonin and dopamine increase or decrease in extreme levels (Northpoint Seattle, 2022). The imbalance can lead to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Question 3. The brain goes through three stages during a pending relapse and then turning into a relapse. The first stage is the emotional relapse when the individual feels a bunch of emotions that consist of depression all the way to euphoria (Semenza, 2023). Next, is the mental stage of relapse which is when the individual in recovery is having thoughts about relapse and trying to fight those thoughts. A part of the brain telling them to use again and the other arguing for them to stay clean in recovery. Lastly, the physical relapse is the actual relapse and at this point it is hard for the individual to go back to being sober because they are back into old habits (Semenza, 2023).

Question 4. The brain is an electric and chemical organic supercomputer of sorts. It controls all the functions in our bodies and houses the mind which is home to our thoughts, which in turn influence our actions. During active substance use for a prolonged period, our brain functions change, according to SAMHSA (2016), over the long term, all substances of abuse cause dysfunction in the brain's dopamine reward system. During a relapse individuals go through different stages the first being the emotional stage, which is where their emotions and resulting behaviors are laying the foundations for their next relapse, then the mental relapse when the mind starts thinking about using bargaining or rationalizing craving substances start to happen until finally, the individual gives in to physical relapse and (Guenzel et al., 2022). To help prevent relapse cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used and helps individuals overcome the challenges that perpetuate harmful drug/alcohol use and equip them with the skills needed to achieve recovery (Guenzel et al., 2022). Because the substances change the way the brain thinks and influences the decision-making process it is really important that those in recovery learn about relapse prevention, and understand that it unfortunately in many cases is a part of the recovery journey, and if it happens getting back into treatment, therapy, or involved with a support group right away is of utmost importance.