Cognitive Distortion
Things are either all or nothing. We have to be perfect or we’re a complete and abject failure — there is no middle ground. Alcoholics and Addicts tend to have this perception in early recovery.
What is polarized thinking/ Black and white thinking?
When an addict chooses to take medicines oneself, rather than by prescription or on expert advice. This is usually to depress emotions such as anger, anxiety, fear, and trauma. This can become their solution and the beginning of their addiction.
What is self-medicate?
Often the most important things alcoholics and addicts think will fix them and their problems. Individuals will leave treatment centers and sober livings if they are not allowed to search for _______.
What is a job?
The year widely accepted as the birth of NA as we know it today.
What is 1953?
____ day at a time.
What is one?
An irrational thought pattern in believing that something is far worse than it actually is.
What is catastrophizing?
An addict seeks to control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously. Can be masked by charm.
What is manipulation?
An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. Usually handwritten or on an excel spreadsheet.
What is a budget?
Religious Group that influenced Bill Wilson when writing the 12 steps. Bill W. & Dr Bob met through this organization.
What is the oxford group?
A 3 word slogan said to newcomers who are unsure of staying or attending another meeting. Also said to newcomers in their first meeting to encourage them to return.
What is "Keep coming back?"
A distortion where a person believes that everything others do or say is some kind of direct, personal reaction to them.
What is personalization?
An established guideline for suitable behaviors, responsibilities, and actions. Addicts tend to break these and struggle to respect these lines drawn by others. These are usually key in healthy relationships.
What is a boundary?
Shopping in order to make oneself feel better. Addicts and Alcoholics engage in this often in early sobriety when they are no longer buying drugs and alcohol.
What is retail therapy?
This 12 step program was invented in Los Angeles in 1982 by Johnny Segal. Their book is known as Hope, Faith, and Courage.
What is cocaine anonymous?
A slogan that is used as a warning when an individual begins to hang out with old using friends, a bar, places where drugs and alcohol are located. The slogan refers to getting a haircut.
What is, "If you hang around a barber shop, you'll eventually get a haircut."
A cognitive distortion where an individual tends to idolize the positive attributes of another person, while playing down/denying their own positive attributes.
What is magnifying and minimizing?
The greatest catalyst for change. An addict experiences this a lot over his using history.
What is pain/suffering?
Although slightly vulgar, this 12 step slogan for money and relationships is often referred to as these colors.
What are pink and green problems?
DAILY DOUBLE
This substance is the only substance to have not one but two constitutional amendments.
What is alcohol?
12 step slogan stated when an individual does not complete something 100%.
What is Progress not perfection?
A cognitive distortion where one tends to make irrational assumptions about people and circumstances.This individual may assume that something will happen in the future (predictive thinking), or assume that they know what someone else is thinking (mind reading).
What is jumping to conclusions?
DAILY DOUBLE
Basic fundamental principal of economics that sates humans act rationally when making decisions involving their finances or monetary benefits. Even addicts partake in this concept but in an extreme manner.
What is rational self-interest?
A life skill that is misrepresented in most treatment centers. This life skill includes budgeting, attachment theory of money, how to borrow money effectively, and understanding the foundations of investing.
What is financial literacy/personal finances?
What war was Bill W a veteran of?
What is WWI?
This slogan is used when people are future tripping. This is also the title of a famous NA book.
What is "Just for Today?"