Addictions 101
What brain chemical is strongly involved in reward and reinforcement.
Dopamine is heavily involved in the reward and reinforcement.
Name 2 common triggers for substance use.
stress, certain people/places, arguments, boredom, loneliness, payday, celebrations, seeing substances, etc.
"I already messed up once, so I might as well keep using." What thinking trap is this?
all-or-nothing thinking:
The person is thinking that because they had one lapse, all their progressed is ruined, so there's no point stopping.
Medication used to treat a substance use disorder means someone isn't truly in recovery.
False
evidence-based medications can be part of treatment and recovery.
Explain urge surfing.
a coping technique used to manage cravings without acting on them. The idea is to think of a craving like an ocean wave. It starts small, builds in intensity, reaches a peak, and then eventually comes back down. Instead of trying to fight the craving or immediately giving into it, you "ride the wave" until it passes.
Why can environmental cues create cravings even after someone has stopped using?
Through learned associations/conditioning; people, places, smells, money, music, etc can all become linked with substance use.
What's the difference between a trigger and a craving?
a trigger is a cue/situation that may lead to thoughts or urges that may lead to thoughts or urges; a craving is the urge/desire itself.
"Everyone at the party will think I'm boring if I don't drink." What thinking error might be happening?
Mind reading:
They're assuming they know what other people are thinking without having evidence that it's true.
Someone who is actively using substances can still provide positive support to someone in recovery.
True
But healthy boundaries and the type of support matter.
Explain the difference between an addiction transfer and an addiction replacement.
Addiction transfer is when someone stops or reduces one problematic behaviour but begins engaging in another behaviour or substance in a compulsive or harmful way.
Addiction replacement is when someone replaces substance use with a healthier behaviour that meets some of the same needs without causing significant harm or loss of control.
What is the difference between tolerance and withdrawal?
Tolerance involves adaptation to repeated substance exposure; withdrawal refers to symptoms that can occur after reducing/stopping following regular use.
Name 3 warning signs that someone may be becoming vulnerable to relapse.
isolation, poor sleep, romanticizing substance use, increased stress, stopping treatment, reconnecting with using friends, secrecy, etc.
"I've been sober for six months. I deserve one drink." What thinking trap could this be?
Rationalization or Reward justification -
using success in recovery as a reason to return to the behaviour they were recovering from.
A person can meet criteria for a substance use disorder without experiencing physical withdrawal.
True
Withdrawal is not required for a substance use disorder diagnosis.
What is the first step in managing a trigger?
Identifying that it is a trigger to you.
Name 3 areas of someone's life that addiction can negatively affect.
Relationships, health, finances, employment, education, housing, mental health, legal issues, etc
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
"Nothing has worked before, so nothing will ever work." Identify the thinking trap.
Overgeneralization:
taking past experiences and assuming they predict the entire future.
Experiencing tolerance automatically means someone has an addiction.
False
tolerance can occur without a substance use disorder. Take into account body weight.
What skill involves questioning whether a negative thought is actually true?
Cognitive reframing/challenging thoughts.
Name three factors that can contribute to the development of addiction.
Genetics, environment, trauma/adversity, mental health, stress, social factors, early exposure, etc.
Create a simple 4 step relapse chain beginning with a trigger and ending with substance use.
Argument - craving - contacting someone - substance use
"I haven't used in three months, so clearly I have this under control and don't need treatment anymore." Identify TWO possible thinking traps.
Over confidence/minimizing risk -
assuming that because things are going well right now, continued support is no longer necessary.
All-or-nothing thinking:
believing either "i'm struggling and need tx" or "I'm doing well and don't need tx."
A lapse automatically means a person's treatment or recovery has failed.
False
it can signal a need to reassess supports and strategies without erasing previous progress.
failing would look like erasing all previous progress.
What are the three basic steps of "play the tape forward"?
Consider the action - consequences - aftermath