Recovery Terms
This is a term for People, Places, Objects, and Feelings that cause cravings.
Triggers
This term describes a feeling people get when the demands of day to day life get overwhelming. This is the most common trigger people experience each day and can be a gateway for other unhelpful emotions.
Stress
5 behaviors/things you should continue to do once the program is over to ensure continued sobriety
AA, Avoid triggers, Avoid using-friends, Medication, Therapy, Staying busy, Plan ahead, Be SMART, Talk to your sponsor, practice mindfulness
Defined as a "gradual movement towards relapse"?
Relapse Drift
5 activities or grounding exercises you can do when experiencing triggers/cravings or unhelpful emotions
Categories, 5 senses, Name 5 things in the room that are (blank), talk to someone, workout, go for a walk, practice mindfulness, call your sponsor, go to a meeting (can find a meeting just about any time on certain apps!!)
This program was founded by two men, unable to deal with their alcoholism, in the 1930's.
AA
Particularly true in early recovery, this emotion when avoided or left unchecked can cause intense urges to use
Anger
Lying, stealing, irresponsibility, isolating, impulsivity, and carelessness are all examples of what type of behavior?
Using or Addictive Behaviors
One of the most overlooked ways to drift towards a relapse, this situation makes us physically and mentally weaker and forces us to spend time away from people and things helping our recovery
Getting Sick
Learning to schedule and provide a structure of activities that support your recovery in an effort to avoid excessive downtime.
Staying Busy
The use of a physical or cognitive cue to interrupt negative thoughts or thoughts of using.
Thought-Stopping
These two words, defined as "feeling bad for something you have done" and "feeling bad about who you are", are two of the most significant triggering emotions for people in recovery.
Guilt & Shame
Almost always involved in addiction, this behavior is something we did to cover our tracks, make things seem to go smoothly, and to hide our use.
Lying
A stage of recovery where chances of relapse are high. Many people report feeling "stuck" or as if they are plateauing in their recovery. Ironically, while this feeling does create stress, this is a sign that you are on the right path.
"The Wall" stage
One of the most important parts of recovery, this behavior requires people to look themselves in the mirror and come to terms with their situation
Acceptance
The concept of 100% not using any type of mind-altering substance. (This program requires you to participate in this)
Total Abstinence
This is the chemical in our brain that is released whenever we use. Having an insufficient amount of this chemical can result in people having issues with boredom and enjoying things in recovery
Dopamine
The concept of becoming nostalgic when thinking about past use and dwelling on things like "how good it felt"(We typically remember these feelings to be better than what they actually were and this can be dangerous).
Romanticizing
Excuses/reasons that our addictive brain gives us to move us closer to relapse?
Relapse Justifications
Widely seen as one of the most helpful things you can do to help your recovery and also better your overall health
Exercise
One of the most significant parts of recovery, this phrase discusses the importance of living in the present, not focusing on the past, or worrying about the future
One Day at a Time
Defined as the "emotional part of the brain" this part of your brain is responsible for our addictive thinking and pleasure-seeking tendencies?
The Lower Brain
This is the series of words used to describe how a Trigger turns into a behavior if left unchecked
Trigger - Thought - Craving - Use
Being Smart not Strong, going to counseling, staying busy, attending AA, exploring triggers, and working towards personal goals are all part of this type of plan?
Relapse Prevention Plan
This term, when practiced, is used to help people acknowledge and accept their present emotions in a non-judgmental way; allowing them to take action instead of dwell/worry or let that trigger turn into use.
Mindfulness