Common Recovery Terms
A state of complete abstinence from psychoactive substances.
What is sobriety?
This is the stage of relapse associated with obtaining and using a drug.
What is Physical?
This skill involves buying time during a craving until it passes.
What is diversion?
Examples of diversion are also acceptable (e.g., walking, exercising, reading, practicing a hobby, drawing, etc.).
This step involves admitting powerlessness over addiction and an unmanageable life.
What is the first step?
This stage is characterized by ambivalence.
What is Contemplation?
When a sober individual returns to substance use, it is called this.
What is relapse?
This is the stage of relapse that often goes unnoticed due to being made up of small behavioral changes.
What is Emotional?
This skill involves reaching out to people you trust when you're feeling overwhelmed or close to relapse.
What is using a support system?
Examples of this are also acceptable (e.g., reaching out to family, a sponsor, friends, etc.).
This step involves a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps and trying to carry this message to other addicts while practicing the steps in all aspects of life.
What is the twelfth step?
This stage involves actively modifying behavior, requiring the highest level of daily effort.
What is Action?
Environmental cues associated with substance use are called this.
What are triggers?
This is a sign of emotional relapse.
What is isolation, bottling feelings, not asking for help, poor self-care?
Other acceptable answers: defensiveness, behavioral shifts, mood swings.
This skill involves a particular way of breathing that relaxes the nervous system.
What is deep breathing?
Examples of deep breathing are also acceptable (e.g., box/4-4-4-4 breathing, belly breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, etc.)
This step involves making a list of all people one has harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them.
What is the eighth step?
This stage involves not yet recognizing that a problem exists, often involving heavy defensiveness.
What is Precontemplation?
This is the physical and mental reaction of the body when stopping or reducing the use of a substance after developing a dependency.
What is withdrawal?
This is the stage of relapse associated with opposing thoughts of wanting to use versus wanting to stay sober.
What is Mental?
This skill heavily focuses on focusing on the present moment and allowing one's thoughts to flow freely in and out of awareness.
What is mindfulness?
Meditation is also acceptable.
This step involves making a complete moral inventory of oneself.
What is the fourth step?
This stage includes small behavioral steps toward change and doesn't usually involve drastic changes.
What is Preparation?
This term describes a proactive strategy to manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations in order to improve well-being.
What are coping skills?
What is Emotional, Mental, and Physical?
This skill involves telling others what you are and are not comfortable with in a relationship (family, friends, or partner).
What is setting boundaries?
Double Question (both must be answered for points):
There are two steps here: one involves making direct amends to people we have harmed, as long as it causes no injury to them or others, and the other involves coming to believe that a higher power can restore sanity.
What is the ninth and second step?
This stage focuses on sustaining gains made and preventing fallbacks toward relapse, with the goal of long-term stability.
What is Maintenance?