Recovery Vocabulary
Staying away from alcohol or drugs.
Abstinence
Slowly breathing in and out to calm yourself
Deep Breathing
Telling the truth even when it is difficult.
Honesty
Taking time to think before you act instead of making a quick decision
Pause
A substance-free place where people support one another in recovery
Sober House
A strong desire or urge to use a substance
Craving
Focusing your attention on the present moment
Mindfulness
Admitting when you have done something wrong.
Ownership
Thinking about what may happen after you make a choice
Consequences
Working together with housemates to create a healthy recovery environment
Teamwork
Recognizing and appreciating positive things in your life.
Gratitude
Removing yourself from a stressful situation temporarily
Take Space
Showing up when you are expected to be somewhere
Punctuality
Accepting ownership of your choices and actions
Accountability
Following rules and completing responsibilities without needing to be reminded
Responsibility
The ability to recover and keep going after difficult experiences
Resilience
Changing an unhealthy thought into a healthier perspective
Thought Reframing
Following expectations and guidelines in a recovery program
Compliance
Saying this when something could put your sobriety at risk
No
Treating your housemates and their belongings appropriately
Respect
Making peace with something you cannot change
Acceptance
Allowing a craving to rise and fall without acting on it
Urge Surfing
Regularly doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Integrity
Thinking through different choices before deciding what to do.
Weigh Options
Talking through disagreements calmly instead of arguing or fighting
Conflict Resolution