Recovery Basics
This stage of change is characterized by a person recognizing their substance use problem while still feeling ambivalent about taking action.
What is Contemplation
A trigger originating from thoughts, memories, emotions, or physical sensations rather than the external environment is known as this type of trigger.
What is an Internal Trigger
This co-occurring condition is characterized by persistent feelings of worry, nervousness, and physical tension that interfere with daily functioning.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This step in Alcoholics Anonymous involves making a searching and fearless moral inventory of oneself.
What is Step Four
This term refers to replacing one compulsive behavior with another, such as substituting substance use with gambling or overeating.
What is Addiction Transfer or Cross-Addiction
This neurotransmitter is heavily associated with the brain’s reward pathway and is significantly impacted by addictive substances.
What is Dopamine
According to relapse prevention theory, relapse is considered a process rather than this single event.
What is a single decision or isolated moment
The use of substances to manage or escape emotional distress is commonly referred to by this hypothesis.
What is the Self-Medication Hypothesis
This recovery principle emphasizes accepting situations outside one’s control while focusing on controllable behaviors and choices.
What is Acceptance
This counseling approach is designed to enhance intrinsic motivation and resolve ambivalence about change.
What is Motivational Interviewing
In recovery terminology, this acronym refers to emotional states commonly associated with relapse risk: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.
What is HALT
This phenomenon occurs when a person in recovery experiences intense emotional or physical cravings after exposure to relapse cues.
What is Cue-Induced Craving
This trauma response involves feeling detached from one’s surroundings, emotions, or sense of self.
What is Dissociation
In 12-step recovery, this term refers to an experienced member who guides another member through recovery work.
What is a Sponsor
This relapse warning sign often appears when individuals begin isolating themselves and avoiding accountability.
What is Social Withdrawal
This defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto someone else.
What is Projection
This cognitive distortion often seen before relapse involves believing one can safely control or moderate substance use despite a history of addiction.
What is Minimization or Illusion of Control
This therapeutic technique challenges irrational thoughts and replaces them with healthier cognitive patterns.
What is Cognitive Restructuring
This slogan in recovery warns individuals against becoming overly confident and neglecting recovery maintenance.
What is “Complacency Kills” or “Don’t Let Up"
This psychological concept describes discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs, values, or behaviors simultaneously.
What is Cognitive Dissonance
This evidence-based therapy developed by Marsha Linehan focuses on distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
This term describes the emotional, mental, and behavioral symptoms that continue after acute withdrawal has ended.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
This disorder is characterized by intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance behaviors, and emotional dysregulation following trauma exposure.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This spiritual principle is commonly associated with Step Seven and involves asking for removal of personal shortcomings.
What is Humility
This model of addiction suggests repeated substance use changes neural pathways involved in reward, stress response, and self-control.
Disease Model of Addiction