ADDICTION
This brain chemical, associated with pleasure and reward, is often released during substance use.
What is Dopamine?
This is the first step in the 12-step model.
What is admitting powerlessness over the addiction?
Getting enough of this each night supports emotional stability and reduces cravings.
What is Sleep?
This type of relationship can make recovery more difficult by enabling substance use.
What is a codependent relationship?
Taking deep breaths or counting to ten are examples of this type of coping.
What is relaxation or grounding?
This term describes needing more of a substance to feel the same effect.
What is Tolerance?
Recovery programs often encourage replacing old habits with these kinds of activities.
What are healthy or positive activities?
Exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness are examples of this type of wellness.
What is physical self-care?
Healthy relationships often require this skill—expressing feelings honestly while respecting others.
What is assertive communication?
Calling a supportive person instead of using a substance is using this type of strategy.
What is reaching out for social support?
This model describes addiction as a chronic, relapsing disease that affects brain structure and function.
What is the Disease Model of Addiction?
This stage of change involves actively modifying behavior and environment to maintain sobriety.
What is the action stage?
Taking time for activities that bring joy or relaxation supports this specific kind of well-being.
What is emotional self-care?
This boundary-setting phrase helps prevent relapse triggers in relationships.
What is “No” or “Not right now”?
Identifying thoughts, feelings, and actions that lead to use is a key part of this CBT-based tool.
What is a trigger log or behavior chain analysis?
This defense mechanism often appears when a person denies the impact of their substance use.
What is Denial?
This type of recovery support involves individuals who share lived experience offering help to others.
What is peer support or mutual aid?
Setting aside time for reflection, prayer, or nature connection is part of this wellness dimension.
What is spiritual self-care?
Rebuilding trust often requires consistency in these two things.
What are words and actions?
This skill involves focusing on the present moment without judgment.
What is mindfulness?
This term refers to the discomfort and symptoms that occur when someone stops using an addictive substance.
What is Withdrawal?
This term describes the process of finding a new identity and meaning beyond substance use.
What is personal transformation or identity reconstruction?
Practicing self-compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness fall under this broad recovery principle.
What is nurturing emotional or mental wellness?
This term refers to rebuilding connection and empathy after harm caused during active addiction.
What is making amends or relational repair?
DBT teaches this problem-solving skill for crisis moments when emotions are intense.
What is distress tolerance or using ACCEPTS skills?