Relapse Prevention
This skill teaches clients to notice cravings without acting on them, understanding they rise and fall like waves.
What is urge surfing?
This brain chemical is heavily involved in reward, motivation, and reinforcement in addiction.
What is dopamine?
This slogan reminds people to focus on staying sober just for today instead of forever.
What is “One Day at a Time”?
This CBT technique involves identifying, evaluating or challenging negative thoughts and replacing with a healthier thoughts
What is Reframing? or Catch It, Check It, Change It
Also - Cognitive Restructuring although this focuses more on distorted or irrational thinking
This former child actor starred in E.T. and later became a talk-show host who openly discusses long-term sobriety and mental health.
Who is Drew Barrymore?
H.A.L.T. is an acronym used in relapse prevention that reminds individuals to check basic needs that increase relapse risk and stands for this
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
This brain area is responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control, and is weakened during active addiction.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
This step requires the admission of powerlessness and unmanageability
What is Step 1?
This skill involved focusing attention on the present moment, without judgement, to reduce impulsive reactions and/or stress
What is mindfulness?
This actor won an Academy Award for Good Will Hunting, starred as Batman, and has spoken publicly about alcohol use disorder and returning to treatment after relapse.
Who is Ben Affleck?
Relapse often progresses through these stages: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and this
What is physical relapse?
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) can last from months and, for some substances and individuals, up to this amount of time after last use.
What is up to 2 years?
Which step is often described as the bridge between admitting problems and changing behavior?
What is Step 4?
This DBT skill encourages acting opposite to an intense or unhelpful emotion and/or craving
What is Opposite Action?
This Grammy-winning rapper from Seattle is known for songs about addiction, relapse, and recovery, including openly discussing sobriety in interviews and music.
Who is Macklemore?
Skipping groups, isolating, feeling overly stressed, and avoiding support are examples of these relapse indicators.
What are warning signs?
Also acceptable - red flags, triggers
This brain chemical is heavily involved in reward, motivation, and reinforcement and is usually over produced in early stages of substance use but can become severely depleated during withdrawal/early recovery?
Bonus Question: Long-term substance use reduces the brain’s natural ability to feel pleasure from everyday activities. This effect is called this.
What is Dopamine?
What is anhedonia?
This step reminds us that recovery is not just about sobriety, but about helping others and daily practice?
What is Step 12?
These two coping strategies—one focused on calming the body and one focused on thinking through consequences—can be used together to manage cravings.
What is Somatic (or grounding) skills and "Playing the Tape Forward?
This celebrity has openly talked about her addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol in her 20's and is now the wealthiest female celebrity. Some of her accomplishments include a talk show, tv channel, and acting roles in such movies as "The Color Purple"
Who is Oprah?
Identifying and changing thoughts that justify substance use is a key part of this therapy approach.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
This term describes when the emotional brain takes over and overrides rational thinking, often leading to impulsive decisions like substance use.
What is an amygdala hijack?
Which step emphasizes daily maintenance rather than one-time completion?
What is Step 10?
This approach involves acknowledging reality as it is, without denial, resistance, or judgment therefor validating emotions and experiences without any additional internal conflict. For example, recognizing the existence of addiction, the consequences of substance use, and the unchangeable aspects of one’s past and present circumstances.
What is Radical Acceptance?
This NFL quarterback, known for leading the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl win, has spoken publicly about painkiller misuse and recovery after injury.
Who is Brett Favre?