Stages of Recovery
The most common cause of relapse, which can be managed by skills such as mindfulness, meditation and other coping skills
Stress
This occurs with the abrupt decrease in or removal of one’s regular dosage of a psychoactive substance.
Withdrawal
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step 4
Anything that results in psychological and then physical relapse.
Trigger
Physical responses to this emotion include tightening of muscles, increased rate of breathing and increased heart rate and blood pressure
Anger
This stage occurs during the first few days after substance use is stopped. This can be accompanied by cravings, depression and difficulty concentrating.
Withdrawal Stage (1-2 weeks)
A mental behavior one repeats involuntarily that can be harmful (e.g., (needing) an alcoholic drink)
Obsession
Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Secondary effects of a drug; these are usually undesirable
Side Effects
This is a style in which people appear passive on the surface, but are actually acting out their anger in indirect or behind-the-scenes ways
Passive Aggressive
Usually occurs 5-6 months after substance use has stopped. A person may have fewer cravings but may be more at risk to put themselves into high-risk situations which could increase the chance of relapse.
Readjustment
A person's diminished response to a drug, which in turn allows for the user to continue to use more and more of a particular drug to cause the same effect
Tolerance
Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
Step 7
Drug taking behavior is followed by a pleasant outcome (euphoria, relaxation, excitation)
Positive Reinforcement
It is the healthiest and most effective style of communication - the sweet spot between being too aggressive and too passive.
Assertive
Often called the "honeymoon", some people feel "cured" during this period and may want to drop out of treatment or stop attending meetings.
Early Abstinence (follows withdrawal)
Refers to the stage of needing a drug in order to function normally.
Dependence
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Step 12
Desires that can remain with an addict for months and even years after drug use has ceased.
Cravings
A psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (such as an addiction to alcohol or another substance)
Codependency
This period is often called "the wall" as someone is still adjusting to new thoughts and feelings. Relapse is more likely to occur during this period.
Protracted Abstinence (6 weeks to 5 months after discontinuing use)
Repetitive behavior to avoid or remove something unpleasant (Ex. taking drugs in order to avoid onset of withdrawal)
Negative Reinforcement
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.
Step 11
A physical behavior one repeats involuntarily that can be harmful.
Compulsion
Recognizing the legitimacy of conflicting needs and problem solving in order to maintain mutual respect and improve relationships.
Conflict Resolution