True or
False
False
Substance use disorder always has a cooccurring condition.
False. Only 50% of people also experience a mental health disorder (and vise versa)
How do I figure out who I am without the substance?
Rebuilding your identity. It takes time and trial and error. Start small by exploring new hobbies, rediscover old interests, and noticing what brings you happiness.
Someone cuts you off while driving. what should you do?
Stay calm, avoid retaliation, and focus on driving safely
What is a negative substance use environment?
A setting where substance use is actively encouraged and readily assessable or used as the primary way to cope with stress and socialize.
What is an anger trigger?
Something that causes you to be angry or frustrated
Addiction changes the brain chemistry
True. Over time substance use alters the brain's reward system and paths related to judgment, decision making, and memory.
Why do I feel so much guilt?
Guilt says, "I did a bad thing". Acknowledge that your past actions were driven by a chronic brain disorder, practice self-compassion, and focus on making living amends through your actions today.
Your family member says something to hurt your feelings what do you do?
Communicate how you feel without yelling or attacking
What defines a positive environment for recovery?
A safe, stable, ad predictable environment that minimizes exposure to triggers while actively supporting healthy habits.
What are physical signs you are becoming angry?
Clenched fist, racing heartbeat, tense muscles, or raised voice
The brain fully recovers immediately after stopping substance use.
False. It takes time for the brain's neural pathways to heal and recalibrate, often requiring month or years of abstinence.
How do I move past shame?
Shame says, "I am a bad person" Acknowledge that your past actions were driven by a chronic brain disorder, practice self-compassion, and focus on making living amends through your actions today.
Stay composed and address the situation respectfully
Can a person's physical neighborhood impact their risk of substance use?
Yes, neighborhoods with a high density of alcohol outlets, visible drug activity, and low community cohesion are negative environmental risk factors that can increase substance use and hinder long-term recovery.
What is anger ?
A emotional response to frustration, hurt, fear
Only people who use substances daily can develop a substance use disorder.
False. Binge use and irregular but harmful patterns of use can also meet the criteria for a clinical disorder.
What is the difference between a trigger and a craving?
A trigger is external or internal stimulus (like a place, person, or stressful thought) that reminds you of using. A craving is the actual physical or psychological urge to use that follows a trigger
You are offered a drink or drug by someone close to you what do you do ?
respectfully decline or walk away from the environment
How does enabling relationships create a negative environment?
This creates a negative environment because it unintentionally allows the pattern of use to continue without intervention.
is anger a good or bad emotion ?
Neither it is how we respond to anger that makes it positive or negative
Relapse means that treatment has failed.
False. Addiction is a chronic disease, relapse is often a normal part of the ongoing management process, similar to managing asthma or diabetes.
How do I sit with discomfort instead of running from it?
Remind yourself that emotions are like waves-- they peak, but they always pass. Practice mindfulness by naming the feeling ("I am feeling anxious right now") without judging it or trying to fix it immediately.
What do you do when you are needing support?
Call someone, call 988, reach out to a therapist, etc.
Why is changing one's social environment often necessary during recovery?
When you spend tie around individuals who are actively using or who were part of you past substance use, t triggers a powerful neurological and psychological chain reaction that makes maintaining recovery incredibly difficult.
What are ways to ground yourself when angry?
Count to 10, Deep breathing, walk away, distract with an activity