Question

schools | change history.
name: london
date: 12/8/2025
7th health: different substances effects l1
advisory: ydg
homework: understanding drug addiction and its effects
directions: answer the following questions based on the work in today’s class.

1. what neurotransmitter is released in large amounts when someone takes drugs, and where in the brain does this occur?

a. serotonin; prefrontal cortex
b. dopamine; basal ganglia
c. acetylcholine; extended amygdala
d. gaba; brain stem

1. explain why quitting drugs is hard, even when someone wants to stop.

1. what is addiction and what causes it according to the text?

1. which of the following is not a long - term effect of drug use?

a. heart disease
b. improved mental health
c. lung problems
d. cancer

Explanation:

Question 1

To solve this, we recall the neurobiology of drug use. Drugs typically cause a surge of dopamine in the basal ganglia (reward pathway). Serotonin is not the main neurotransmitter for drug - induced reward, acetylcholine isn't associated with this in the extended amygdala for drug reward, and GABA in the brain stem isn't related to the main drug - induced neurotransmitter release for reward. So option B is correct.

Quitting drugs is hard due to multiple factors. Physiologically, drugs alter brain chemistry (e.g., dopamine reward systems), leading to physical dependence (withdrawal symptoms like nausea, pain when not using). Psychologically, there's psychological dependence as drugs become associated with pleasure, stress relief, etc. Also, environmental triggers (people, places related to drug use) and the brain's rewiring (reduced ability to feel pleasure without drugs) make it difficult.

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug - seeking and use despite harmful consequences. Causes include biological factors (genetic predisposition, brain chemistry changes from drug use), psychological factors (mental health issues, using drugs to cope), and social factors (peer pressure, lack of support, exposure to drug - using environments).

Answer:

B. Dopamine; basal ganglia

Question 2