Emotions & Regulation
This emotion is often called the "iceberg emotion" because another feeling is usually underneath it.
What is anger?
Sandra Bullock starred in this recovery-themed movie about rehab.
What is 28 Days?
Recovery is often described as this rather than a destination.
What is a journey?
"You have to hit rock bottom before recovery."
What is Myth?
This occurs when the brain and body adapt to a substance, leading to withdrawal when it stops.
What is dependence?
Name three healthy ways to regulate emotions instead of avoiding them.
What is deep breathing, grounding, journaling, talking with someone, exercise, mindfulness, or opposite action?
This Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga film portrays alcohol addiction.
What is A Star Is Born?
This part of the brain is responsible for decision-making and impulse control.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
"Relapse can be part of recovery but doesn't erase previous progress."
What is fact?
This neurotransmitter is often called the brain's "reward chemical," but it is more accurately involved in motivation and learning.
What is dopamine?
HALT reminds us to check these four states before reacting.
What are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired?
This basketball coach's alcoholism is central to the story.
What is The Way Back?
This brain chemical is heavily involved in reward and motivation.
What is dopamine?
Staying sober is about willpower?
What is myth?
BONUS:
What is it instead of willpower?
Repeated substance use can strengthen these brain pathways, making certain people, places, emotions, or smells trigger cravings.
What are conditioned cues (or learned associations/neural pathways)?
True or False: Emotions are facts. Explain your answer.
What is False? Emotions are real experiences but not always accurate reflections of reality
This HBO series follows the main character Rue as she struggles with addiction.
What is Euphoria?
What do cravings do if not acted upon?
What is (most) cravings rise, peak, and pass if not acted upon.
"Mental health and substance use disorders often occur together."
What is Fact?
This brain process causes a person to need more of a substance over time to achieve the same effect.
What is tolerance?
This DBT skill encourages us to pause before reacting and choose a response.
What is STOP?
BONUS ROUND WHAT DOES STOP STAND FOR?
In many recovery movies, what is the biggest factor highlighted that supports long-term recovery?
What is connection and asking for help?
Research consistently shows this is one of the strongest predictors of sustained recovery.
What is social support and connection?
"Cravings always mean your body still needs the drug."
(explain myth or fact)
What is Myth?
Cravings are often triggered by memories, emotions, stress, environmental cues, or habits—not just physical dependence.
This phenomenon occurs when repeated substance use causes the brain to respond less strongly to natural rewards like food, hobbies, or relationships.
What is downregulation of the brain's reward system (or reduced sensitivity to natural rewards/anhedonia)?