The "Why" of Pain
Dr. Maté states we shouldn't ask "Why the addiction," but rather "Why the ______?"
Pain
This part of the brain manages focus and decision-making but is "hijacked" during a trauma response.
Prefrontal Cortex
This DBT-informed skill involves staying in the "here and now" without judgment.
Mindfulness
A "firm" or "healthy" one of these is necessary to protect your recovery from toxic environments.
Boundary
These are the people, places, or things that spark a "predictive urge" to use.
Triggers
This term refers to the brain's "reward" chemical that is often dysregulated in both ADHD and addiction.
Dopamine
This survival state involves being constantly "on guard" for danger, often mimicking ADHD distractibility.
Hyper-vigilance
A grounding technique where you name things you can see, hear, and feel.
5-4-3-2-1 Technique
This is the opposite of isolation and is a primary requirement for healing addiction.
Connection
Dr. Palmer and Dr. Maté both agree that this "B-word" is a barrier to seeking help.
Blame/But-Also-Brain-Health
This is the theory that substance use is an attempt to solve an underlying emotional problem.
Self-Medication Hypothesis
When a person "checks out" or feels numb due to a trigger, it is known as this.
Dissociation
Maté’s method of looking at behaviors with curiosity instead of shame.
Compassionate Inquiry
A pre-planned way to leave a high-stress situation before an urge becomes too strong.
Exit Strategy
The practice of treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
Self-Compassion
Maté uses this Buddhist term to describe the internal sense of "never having enough."
The Hungry Ghost
This is the range where we can handle our emotions without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down.
Window of Tolerance
This acronym stands for physical states that increase the risk of relapse?
HALT
This term describes a person's ability to return to a calm state after a stressful event.
Resilience/Regulation
Making sure you take your prescribed ADHD medications as directed is called this.
Medication Adherence/Compliance
True or False: According to Maté, addiction is a primary brain disease unrelated to life experiences.
False—he views it as a response to trauma/environment
Trauma that is passed down through family lines is known as this.
Intergenerational Trauma
This type of breathing involves a long exhale to calm the nervous system.
Paced Breathing/Vagus Nerve Regulation
"Self-medicating" is often a way to avoid this, which is the actual work of recovery.
Feeling/Processing Emotions
This "metabolic" factor is the most common physiological trigger for ADHD symptoms.
Sleep Deprivation