12-Steps
Admitted we are powerless and our lives had become unmanageable.
Step 1
Lasts 1-2 weeks, detox, cravings, irritability, low energy, paranoia.
Withdrawal
Methamphetamine, cocaine
Stimulants
A treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
Addiction
Anger, fear, excitement, depression, anxiety, etc.
Internal Triggers
Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admit it.
Step 10
Occurs occasionally, especially during early recovery. Usually short-term and includes urges and cravings, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and irritability.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)
The most abused substance, a central nervous system depressant, but causes the most severe long-term damage to the liver, creates feelings of euphoria and lowers inhibitions, but also severely impairs judgment, perception, and reaction times.
Alcohol
The addicted part of our brains
The Limbic System
Snapping, relaxation, call someone, visualization, grounding, etc.
Thought-stopping techniques/coping skills
Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
Step 3
Last 3-4 months, low energy, apathy, depression, isolation, emotional swings, return of cravings.
Protracted Abstinence (The Wall)
More commonly referred to as “downers,” these drugs create feelings of relaxation and tiredness.
Depressants
The healing process of the brain.
Recovery
Using friends, dealer's house, home alone, weekends, when in pain, during work, etc.
External Triggers
Made direct amends
Step 9
Last about 4 weeks, increased energy, overconfidence, intense feelings, mood swings.
Early Abstinence (Honeymoon/Pink Cloud)
Sometimes referred to as dissociatives, these drugs alter the user’s perception of reality, often resulting in auditory and visual hallucinations, a process known as “tripping.”
Hallucinogens
The rational or cognitive thinking part of our brains
Prefrontal Cortex
Lying, stealing, behaving impulsively, isolating, missing treatment, losing interest in things, etc.
Addictive Behaviors
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Step 7
Lasts 4-6 months, infrequent cravings, feeling of accomplishment, increasing emotional stability.
Adjustment
A class of drug that function by interacting with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-A. Highly addictive, and can cause numerous medical and psychiatric problems.
Benzodiazepines
Drugs produce intense euphoria. They also produce much larger surges of this neurotransmitter, powerfully reinforcing the connection between consumption of the drug.
Dopamine
I'm strong enough to be around it, I'm back in control, someone offered me some, a loved one passed away, etc.
Justifications