Substance Learning Center
Understanding Substances, Withdrawal, and Recovery
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Understanding what substances do to the brain and body can remove shame and help us make informed recovery decisions. Substance use can change the brain’s reward system, stress response, judgment, memory, sleep, emotions, and ability to experience pleasure. Healing is possible, but it takes time, support, honesty, and consistent recovery action.
Important Safety Notice
Detox timelines are estimates—not guaranteed discharge dates. Withdrawal severity depends on the substance, amount, frequency, length of use, method of use, other substances, medications, physical health, mental health, and previous withdrawal history. Never stop alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other physically dependent substances suddenly without medical guidance. Withdrawal can become life-threatening.
Emergency Warning
Call 911 or seek emergency medical help for seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips, inability to wake, extremely high fever, severe dehydration, suicidal thoughts, violent behavior, or suspected overdose.
Overdose Safety
An overdose is a medical emergency. Fast action can save a life.
- •Call 911 immediately for a suspected overdose.
- •Administer naloxone for a suspected opioid overdose when available.
- •Naloxone will not harm someone if opioids are not the cause.
- •More than one naloxone dose may be needed.
- •Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
- •Follow dispatcher instructions.
- •Do not assume someone can "sleep it off."
- •Reduced tolerance after detox, incarceration, hospitalization, or a period of abstinence greatly increases overdose risk if a person returns to use.
Do not use this information as instructions for substance use. It is for emergency preparedness only.
Substance Categories
Tap any category to learn how it affects the brain, nervous system, and body — and what withdrawal and recovery may look like.