PAWS
Feeling nothing, shutting down
What is emotional numbness
An international fellowship of men and women who have had a problem using drugs or alcohol
What is AA/NA/CA/etc.
Someone who can help guide you through the program of AA and more specifically, the 12 steps.
What is a sponsor
Intense feelings of sadness, fatigue, hopelessness
What is depression
Feelings of worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities
What is anxiety
The amount of time that acute withdraw can occur
What is 1-2 weeks
Medication that can balance chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters that affect mood and emotions.
What is anti-depressant
A set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.
What are the 12 steps
A desire to use your drug of choice
What are cravings
Extreme tiredness or exhaustion.
What is fatigue
Typically occurs in the first two weeks after stopping drugs or alcohol
What is acute withdrawal
This can boost the immune system, restores a healthy balance to neurotransmitter levels, and reduce stress.
What is exercise
Something you "pick up" if you are just starting or starting over in AA
What is a White Chip -"Surrender Chip"
Rapid shifts in happiness, sadness, anger, hopelessness, joy, etc. that can sometimes occur for no apparent reason while the brain re-balances itself.
What are mood swings
A threshold for daily stress that is is very low. Trivial irritations or setbacks can feel like the end of the world.
Sensitivity to stress
Symptoms experienced by some individuals who are addicted to alcohol or certain drugs after a prolonged period of withdrawal.
What is PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome)
A form of therapy in which the client is treated on a one-on-one basis with a therapist.
What is individual therapy
A situation in which a person is not known by or spoken of by name
What is anonymity
A tendency to be easily annoyed or made angry.
What is irritability
Extreme difficulty with focusing one's attention or mental effort.
What is impaired concentration
The amount of time PAWS can last
What is 2 years
Skills that are used to help us cope and survive during a crisis, and helps us tolerate short term or long term pain (physical or emotional), especially when we cannot change the situation
What is Distress Tolerance Skills
To take an honest look at our own behavior and actions, including our resentments. To take an inventory of ourselves.
What is a fourth step
Vivid, realistic dreams about using drugs or alcohol, trouble sleeping, waking up frequently.
What are sleep disturbances
When nothing seems fun or interesting anymore – even activities they used to enjoy. An inability to feel pleasure.
Anhedonia