Relapse Prevention
Feelings, people, or situations that cause the brain to want to use substances. If you're not aware of them, they can cause you to relapse
Triggers *Share about your triggers
Someone who helps guide a newcomer through the processes of NA or AA
A Sponsor *Do you have your sponsor? Share about your experience
This role is often independent, organized, responsible, seen as a leader, and successful.
Hero
A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Mindfulness
feeling responsible or remorseful for something
ex: "I did a bad thing."
Guilt
These stages are used to identify where you may in your desire to change.
Stages of Change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
A powerful desire to use substances
Cravings
The role that may be seen to have many friends, an exciting life, commands attention, and courageous.
Scapegoat
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances
Changing the Channel *What are things you do to Change the Channel?
feeling like a failure; feeling inferior
ex: "I am a bad person."
Shame
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
Symptoms you experience several weeks or months after you have finished detoxing that are related to the body healing from substance use
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) *What PAWS symptoms have you experienced?
This role is often creative, resourceful, and enjoys solitude.
The Lost Child
The practice of taking an active role in regularly doing things that improve your well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress
Self-Care *Share one thing you do for self-care
A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy.
Identifying and writing down triggers, coping skills, people, and activities that can help prevent a relapse
Relapse Prevention Plan *Raise your hand if you have a relapse prevention plan
A common phrase repeated in AA/NA as an important part of recovery. It is not just a common encouragement, it holds great meaning representing the gratitude an individual feels about their sobriety, and the importance of it presently.
"One Day at a Time"
"We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
Therapy
A tendency to overestimate one's abilities or judgement.
Overconfidence
Convincing yourself that it's okay or that you have to use substances/engage in addictive behaviors
Relapse Justification
Using another activity in order to replace or substitute the feelings/results you used to get from using substances
Cross Addiction
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
NA Tradition 3
A state of mind where you are thankful and taking notice of the good things in your life, rather than focusing on the bad
Gratitude *What is one thing you are grateful for today?
used or intended to publicly acknowledge a significant or happy day or even
Celebration