Recovery Basics
This term means a return to substance use after a period of abstinence or reduced use.
What is relapse?
HALT reminds us to check in when Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or ___.
What is Tired?
This neurotransmitter/chemical makes us feel pleasure or excitement.
What is dopamine?
This feeling often shows up as worry, fear, or restlessness.
What is anxiety?
These 2 substances are known as depressants/"downers," meaning they suppress the nervous system and give a sedating effect. (Double points if you can name 4!)
What are alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and GHB?
A daily commitment often repeated in early recovery: “One day at a ___.”
What is time (or “one day at a time”)?
This coping skill involves contacting a sober friend, family member, or sponsor.
What is social support?
This area of the brain is in charge of impulse control, reasoning, and emotion regulation.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
The ability to bounce back from stress or setbacks is called this.
What is resilience?
Name 2 types of substances are stimulants/"uppers," meaning they activate the nervous system and provide a waking effect. (Double points if you name 4!)
What are amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and MDMA?
This recovery approach focuses on progress over perfection and celebrating small victories.
What is harm reduction?
This grounding skill focuses attention on the five senses to reduce cravings or anxiety.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique?
This word describes the brain's ability to form new connections and heal, and provides hope for recovery.
What is neuroplasticity?
Deep breathing helps calm this body system. (Double points if you can name the system it activates!)
What is the nervous system/sympathetic nervous system?
These 2 substances are hallucinogens, meaning they alter sensory experience (sights, sounds, etc.).
What are LSD/acid and psilocybin/mushrooms?
The chronic disease model of addiction describes SUD as a condition affecting this organ.
What is the brain?
Saying “no” clearly and respectfully is an example of this communication skill.
What is assertive communication?
This response engages the sympathetic nervous system and prepares the brain and body to deal with danger.
What is fight or flight?
The ability to recognize "uncomfortable" versus "unbearable" and sit with anxiety/cravings is an example of this DBT skill.
What is distress tolerance?
Name 3 symptoms of an opioid overdose. (Double points if you can name 5!)
What are pinpoint pupils, unresponsiveness, breathing issues, pale/clammy skin, and blue lips/nails?
This stage of change involves actively modifying behavior and environments to support recovery.
What is the action stage?
Identifying people, places, and emotions that increase risk of relapse is called finding your ___.
What are triggers?
When stressed, this hormone is often released. Over-exposure to this hormone over a prolonged period of time can have long-term effects like high blood pressure and low distress tolerance.
What is cortisol?
Using substances to push away negative feelings or traumatic memories is an example of this unhelpful coping strategy.
What is avoidance?
This is why it is important to know about the effects of different substances. (Think about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs!)
What will aid my recovery and help me meet my needs productively?