Understanding Addiction
What is the difference between physical dependence and addiction?
What is dependence involves withdrawal symptoms; addiction includes compulsive use despite harm.
What part of the brain controls impulse control and is weakened by addiction?
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Why are boundaries important in recovery
What is they help prevent enabling, reduce stress, and support sobriety?
Name one high-risk situation that could lead to relapse.
What is stress, conflict, celebration, boredom, or grief?
Why is structure important in long-term recovery?
What is it reduces downtime, supports accountability, and helps build routine?
What are the 3 stages of the addiction cycle?
What are binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation? (cravings)
What brain chemical is most associated with reward and addiction?
What is dopamine?
Name one coping skill you can use during a craving.
What is journaling, exercise, calling someone, deep breathing, etc.?
What’s the first thing you should do when you feel triggered?
What is pause, breathe, and use a coping strategy or call someone?
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate milestones in recovery?
What is it reinforces progress, motivation, and positive identity change?
Name one psychological and one behavioral sign of addiction.
What is anxiety (psychological), lying/hiding use (behavioral)?
What physical effect can long-term alcohol use have on the heart?
What is it can cause high blood pressure and heart disease?
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
How does isolation increase relapse risk?
What is it removes accountability and increases negative thoughts or emotions?
Name 3 elements of a strong recovery support system.
What is a sponsor, sober peers, therapist, or family/friends who support sobriety?
Name one common reason people start using drugs or alcohol.
What is peer pressure, stress, or curiosity?, enviromental and genetics
Why can detox from alcohol be medically dangerous?
What is severe withdrawl sysmptoms due to risk of seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), or heart complications?
What does “setting healthy boundaries” mean in recovery?
What is knowing and communicating your limits to protect your well-being and sobriety.
Why can holidays or celebrations be challenging in recovery?
What is they often involve substance use and social pressure?
Why is gratitude a powerful recovery tool?
What is it shifts focus away from negativity and strengthens emotional well-being?
Why is denial common in early recovery?
What is it protects the ego, avoids shame, and minimizes the impact of use?
What does serotonin help control?
What is mood and feelings?
Seratonin is Known for its role in mood regulation, serotonin contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Dopamine is Often referred to as the "pleasure neurotransmitter," dopamine is primarily involved in the brain's reward system. It drives motivation, pleasure, and reward seeking behaviors (low can lack of motviaiton and deprssion)
What is the difference between abstinence and recovery?
What is abstinence is not using; recovery is building a healthy, meaningful life without substances?
What is the difference between a lapse and a relapse?
What is a lapse is a brief return to use; a relapse is a return to the pattern of addictive behavior?
What are signs that someone is growing in recovery?
What is improved relationships, coping skills, self-awareness, or setting healthy goals?