Thinking Traps/Cognitive Distortions
“I messed up once, so I might as well give up completely” is an example of seeing things as either a total success or a total failure.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
____ and ____ are two substance categories for which severe withdrawal can potentially become life-threatening and require medical management.
What are alcohol and benzodiazepines?
This brain chemical plays an important role in motivation, reinforcement, and the reward system and is commonly discussed in addiction science.
What is dopamine?
This four-letter recovery tool reminds you to check whether you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
What is HALT?
Known for hits like “Lose Yourself” and “Not Afraid,” this rapper has publicly celebrated many years of sobriety.
Who is Eminem?
“I know everyone at the meeting thinks I’m a failure” assumes you know what other people are thinking without actually asking them.
What is mind reading?
This medication can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose by temporarily blocking opioid receptors and is commonly available as a nasal spray.
What is naloxone (Narcan)?
When a person needs increasing amounts of a substance to experience the same effect, they have developed this.
What is tolerance?
Going to meetings, calling supportive people, and avoiding isolation are ways to strengthen this important part of a relapse-prevention plan.
What is a support system?
This actor, famous for playing Iron Man in the Marvel films, has openly discussed overcoming substance addiction and maintaining long-term recovery.
Who is Robert Downey Jr.?
“I’ve been sober for a while, so using just once probably wouldn’t be a big deal” reduces the seriousness of a potentially high-risk decision.
What is minimizing?
This recovery strategy involves thinking beyond the immediate urge to use and imagining what is likely to happen afterward.
What is playing the tape forward?
Sweating, shaking, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability can sometimes occur when someone suddenly reduces or stops using a substance after developing dependence.
What is withdrawal?
Going to bed and waking up around the same time each day is an example of maintaining this healthy habit, which can improve mood and emotional regulation.
What is a healthy sleep routine?
This “Believe” singer and actress has discussed getting sober after struggling with alcohol and drug use early in her career.
Who is Cher?
“I deserve to use tonight because I’ve worked hard all week, and I can get back on track tomorrow” uses seemingly logical excuses to justify a risky behavior.
What is rationalization?
More than 27% of people in this age group experience a substance use disorder, giving them the highest rate among age groups.
What are young adults ages 18–25?
Alcohol belongs to this category of substances because it slows activity in the central nervous system.
What is a depressant?
Practicing deep breathing, meditation, grounding, or taking a quiet break are healthy ways to manage this common relapse risk.
What is stress?
This actor from The Princess Bride and Saw wrote the memoir As You Wish and has publicly discussed his recovery from alcohol addiction.
Who is Cary Elwes?
“I made one mistake in recovery, so I’m going to lose my job, my family will give up on me, and my entire life will fall apart” assumes the worst possible outcome will happen.
What is catastrophizing?
Nearly 7 out of every 10 overdose deaths involve this category of drugs. (Bonus 100 points: Name the primary substance involved.)
What are synthetic opioids? (Bonus 100: Fentanyl)
This brain region, important for judgment, planning, decision-making, and impulse control, can be affected by repeated substance use.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Instead of waiting until cravings become overwhelming, regularly noticing changes in your mood, thinking, sleep, isolation, and behavior can help you identify these before a physical relapse occurs.
What are early warning signs of relapse?
This actor known for The West Wing and Parks and Recreation has spoken publicly about becoming sober in 1990 and maintaining decades of recovery.
Who is Rob Lowe?