The Brain
These can hijack the pleasure/reward circuits in your brain and hook you into wanting more and more.
What are substances/alcohol/drugs?
A series of meetings with a trained professional to discuss feelings, experiences, and behaviors that are causing stress or confusion.
What is therapy?
A strong physical or psychological need or urge to do something or use something. It is a dependence on a substance or activity even if you know that it causes you harm.
What is addiction?
AA, NA, CA, Etc.
What are 12-Step Fellowships?
Intentionally being present in the "here and now."
What is mindfulness?
This neurotransmitter is often called “the pleasure molecule,” but it is more correctly defined as a chemical that underlies motivation. It focuses attention on and drives people to pursue specific goals.
What is dopamine?
This is usually comprised of six to twelve members who meet face to face with one or two trained group therapists and talk about what most concerns them. Members listen to each other and openly express thoughts and feelings.
What is group therapy?
When a person returns to using drugs or alcohol after a period of sobriety.
What is a relapse?
A nonclinical professional in recovery who helps others in recovery from substance use disorders.
What is a sponsor or peer recovery coach?
The process of bringing together your "emotion mind" and "logical mind" to find a middle path.
What is wise mind?
About how much sobriety does one need to have in order for the brain to start healing and creating new neural pathways?
What is 90 days?
A psychological response to a disturbing event, such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault.
What is trauma?
A state where a person needs to increase their dosage of a psychoactive substance to produce the desired effect.
This type of plan is unique to each person in recovery, and may include sections such as triggers of use, warning signs, protective factors, sober supports, etc.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
Observe, Describe, and Participate
What are the "what" mindfulness skills?
Over time, substance abuse weakens activity of this part of the brain, which is the brain’s decision-making center.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
A willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.
What is accountability?
A phase of early sobriety characterized by an intense feeling of happiness and optimism. BONUS POINTS if you describe why this phase can be dangerous to sobriety?
What is the "pink cloud?"
A professional who specializes in helping individuals pursue recovery, providing therapy, support, and guidance to develop coping mechanisms and manage their recovery process.
What is a substance abuse counselor?
Nonjudgmentally, One-Mindfully, and Effectively
What are the "how" mindfulness skills?
This part of the brain registers emotional significance of perceptions, and is highly responsive to drug-related cues and sets in motion the rise and fall of craving.
What is the amygdala?
These disorders can include any combination of mental disorders and substance use disorders.
What is a co-occurring disorder?
Avoidance of all mood-altering, addictive substances.
What is abstinence?
An aftercare analogy of a rope or line used to secure our sobriety in place, withstanding negative forces which may challenge us.
What are the "mooring lines" of sobriety?
BONUS ROUND! Worth 1000 points! Name one mindfulness practice supportive of recovery.
Up to therapist's discretion for points!