Relapse Risks & Prevention
Feelings, people, or situations that cause the brain to want to use substances. If you're not aware of them, they can cause you to relapse
Triggers *Share about your triggers
Someone who helps guide a newcomer through the processes of NA or AA
A Sponsor *Do you have your sponsor? Share about your experience
The basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous
The Big Book
Intentionally shifting your attention away from a craving toward a healthier thought or activity.
Change the Channel/Distraction *What are things you do to Change the Channel?
Sandra Bullock plays a journalist ordered into rehabilitation in this movie.
28 Days
Becoming overly comfortable and gradually stopping the activities that support recovery.
Complacency
A powerful desire to use substances
Cravings
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
Serenity Prayer
Focusing on the present moment without judging your thoughts or feelings.
Mindfulness
This metallic man has been in recovery since 2003. He was introduced to drugs by his famous father and spent time in jail. He saw a resurgence in his popularity since entering recovery and starring in a series of hit movies.
Robert Downey Jr.
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
These symptoms may occur after acute withdrawal and can include mood changes, sleep problems, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) *What PAWS symptoms have you experienced?
Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Using your five senses to reconnect with the present moment when overwhelmed or triggered.
Grounding
This famous British singer, songwriter, and pianist recently had a biopic made of his life. He was knighted by the Queen of England and is one of the best selling musical artists of all time. He went through recovery, built AA/NA meetings into his tour schedule, and has also sponsored other celebrities such as Eminem.
Elton John
A written strategy identifying triggers, warning signs, coping skills, and people to contact.
Relapse Prevention Plan *Raise your hand if you have a relapse prevention plan
A common phrase repeated in AA/NA as an important part of recovery. It is not just a common encouragement, it holds great meaning representing the gratitude an individual feels about their sobriety, and the importance of it presently.
"One Day at a Time"
"We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."
Thinking through what will likely happen after using—not merely the immediate effect.
Playing the tape through
A biopic of a famous country music legend and his rise to fame in Tennessee. While on tour, he meets the love of his life, singer June Carter. However, things take a turn when he becomes involved in drugs and his marriage to first wife, Vivian, begins to fall apart. June eventually helps him recover from his addiction and he proposes to her in front of a live audience.
Walk the Line
“I’ll only use once,” “I deserve it,” and “Nobody will know” are examples of this thinking pattern.
Relapse Justification
This period of intense confidence or euphoria in early recovery may cause someone to underestimate risks or believe they no longer need support.
Pink Cloud
According to NA’s Third Tradition, this is the only requirement for membership.
A desire to stop using
Observing a craving rise and fall without fighting it or acting upon it.
Urge Surfing
This famous actor is known for his character named after a weapon. He served jail time and became a boxing champion in San Quentin, after which he completed a 12-step program and has been sober for over 4 decades. He was first discovered as an actor while attending an AA meeting!
Danny Trejo