SUBSTANCES & THE BRAIN
What organ is most affected by addictive substances?
The brain.
Name one healthy activity you can do when experiencing stress.
Walk, exercise, listen to music, journal, meditate, talk to someone, etc.
What is a trigger?
Something that can cause an urge or desire to use.
True or False: It's okay to experience difficult emotions during recovery.
True.
What does "one day at a time" mean?
Focusing on what you can do to stay healthy and sober today rather than becoming overwhelmed by the future.
True or False: Addiction can change the way the brain's reward system works.
True
What breathing technique can help calm your body during stress?
Slow, deep breathing.
Name one type of trigger.
People, places, things, emotions, memories, stress, or situations.
Name one emotion that can become a trigger for substance use.
Anger, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, shame, boredom, frustration, etc.
What does accountability mean?
Taking responsibility for your choices and actions.
What neurotransmitter is strongly associated with the brain's reward and motivation system?
Dopamine.
If you're having a craving, what is usually more helpful: isolating yourself or reaching out to someone supportive?
Reaching out.
True or False: Having a craving means you have already relapsed.
False.
What is the difference between reacting and responding?
Reacting is often automatic or impulsive; responding involves pausing and choosing how to handle the situation.
True or False: Recovery looks exactly the same for everyone.
False.
Why can someone experience cravings even after they stop using a substance?
The brain has learned associations between substances, rewards, people, places, emotions, and behaviors.
What does mindfulness involve?
Paying attention to the present moment without immediately judging or reacting to it.
What does "playing the tape forward" mean?
Thinking through the likely consequences of using instead of focusing only on the immediate feeling or reward.
What does emotional regulation mean?
Being able to recognize, manage, and respond to emotions in healthier ways.
What is one major difference between abstinence and recovery?
Abstinence means not using a substance; recovery also involves building healthier behaviors, relationships, coping skills, and a meaningful life.
True or False: Once someone stops using, the brain immediately returns to exactly how it functioned before addiction.
False. Brain recovery takes time, and recovery can involve gradual changes in thinking, emotions, reward processing, and impulse control.
Name five healthy coping skills you could use without leaving your treatment program.
Examples include journaling, walking, exercising, talking to staff, attending groups, deep breathing, meditation, reading, drawing, music, or grounding exercises.
You suddenly find yourself thinking, "I can use just one time." What is one thing you should do?
Recognize the thought as a warning sign, reach out for support, leave the situation if necessary, and use your relapse-prevention plan.
Why can learning to tolerate uncomfortable emotions be important in early recovery?
Because substances may previously have been used to escape or numb emotions, so recovery requires learning healthier ways to experience and manage them.
What does "HALT" stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.