Substances & Effects
What drug is known as “the gateway drug”?
Marijuana
Name one common emotional trigger for relapse.
(Loneliness, anger, boredom, etc.)
Give one example of a healthy way to cope with stress.
Any healthy coping skill is accepted!
Anxiety and depression are common with addiction. True or False?
True
What does AA stand for?
(Alcoholics Anonymous)
Alcohol is considered what type of drug?
A Depressant
What does the acronym “HALT” stand for?
(Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)
What does grounding mean in mental health recovery?
(Techniques to bring focus back to the present, often for anxiety/trauma)
What does it mean to “sit with your emotions”?
(Allowing yourself to feel emotions without reacting impulsively or numbing them.)
What’s the purpose of a sponsor in recovery?
Guide, support, accountability
What part of the brain is most affected by addiction and decision-making?
(The prefrontal cortex)
True or False: A lapse always means a full relapse.
(False — can be a warning sign & learning opportunity)
What does “radical acceptance” mean?
(Accepting reality fully, even when it’s painful, to reduce suffering)
What is the “fight, flight, freeze” response?
(The body’s automatic reaction to stress or perceived danger)
What does the phrase “one day at a time” mean? Extra points for in-depth response
(Focusing on today’s sobriety instead of the whole future)
Which substance(s) is often linked with the risk of fatal withdrawal if stopped suddenly?
Alcohol and Benzodiazepines
What’s the difference between an external and internal trigger?
(External = people/places/things; Internal = emotions/thoughts)
What is “urge surfing”?
(Riding out a craving without giving in, like a wave that eventually passes)
What is emotional intelligence, and why is it important in sobriety?
(The ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions and others’; helps build healthy relationships and cope with stress.)
Name one benefit of group therapy.
(Support, connection, accountability, learning)
What does “cross-addiction” mean?
Switching from one substance/behavioral addiction to another
What is a high-risk situation, and why is it dangerous in recovery?
(Any situation that increases chance of use, e.g., old friends, bars, stress — dangerous because it weakens coping & decision-making)
What is the difference between an unhealthy vs. healthy coping skill? With examples.
Unhealthy- a way to cope that adds to the maladaptive behaviors
Healthy- a way to cope that doesn't give in to the toxic behaviors/thoughts/actions
What is emotional regulation, and why is it important in recovery?
(Ability to manage feelings in healthy ways; prevents impulsive use)
What is a “sober support network”?
(A group of people who encourage and reinforce healthy choices in recovery.)