Miscellaneous
With continued use, the brain will stop producing this brain chemical that enables pleasure.
What is Dopamine?
Internal or external stimuli that can evoke strong emotions, memories, or cravings (i.e., people, places, and things).
What are triggers?
Common uncomfortable feeling, especially in early sobriety, arising from a lack of stimulation/structure.
What is Boredom?
A list of people or individuals that you can rely on when you are in need of help (i.e., friend, sponsor, counselor, family member, etc.)
What is a support system?
Prayer in 12-Step that states we have to accept the things we cannot change, have the courage to change the things we can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
What is the Serenity Prayer?
The substance that is the most commonly used in America; long term use can lead to liver disease, heart issues, and brain damage/shrinking of the brain.
What is Alcohol?
Going back to use and all the behaviors and patterns that come with it.
What is Relapse?
Feelings in which one feels bad about what they have done and feeling bad about who they are.
What is guilt and shame?
Strategies individuals use to manage triggers, cravings, and uncomfortable emotions. (ex: going for a walk, exercising, etc.)
What are coping skills?
Program developed in the 1930's by two men who could not cope with their alcoholism.
What is the 12-Step Program?
A treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
What is addiction?
The practice of being truthful and transparent with oneself and others about challenges, feelings, and progress in the recovery journey.
What is honesty?
To feel certain that you can rely on someone.
What is trust?
Involves implementing routines, schedules, and a predictable environment to support long-term sobriety and overall well-being.
What is structure?
Someone who helps guide a newcomer through the process of the 12-Steps.
Who is a sponsor?
An acronym that describes the lingering affects of drug and alcohol withdrawal experienced months after being sober (i.e., irritability, emotional sensitivity, boredom, sleep disturbances, etc.)
What is P.A.W.S. (post-acute withdrawal syndrome)?
A plan developed in treatment to help identify and manage potential triggers.
What is a Relapse Prevention Plan?
An unconscious psychological strategy that protects an individual from uncomfortable or threatening thoughts.
What is a Defense Mechanism?
The practice of actively and openly paying attention to the present moment, without judgment through breathing exercises.
What is Mindfulness?
Concept highly emphasized in 12-step in which someone is required to completely avoid using any and all substances.
What is Total Abstinence?
Curriculum used in outpatient/inpatient treatment facilities designed to address the complex needs of individuals struggling with addiction; topics include relapse prevention and early recovery skills.
What is the Matrix?
The driving internal force that influences an individual to seek, commit to, and sustain the process of recovery.
What is motivation?
The ability to effectively manage and respond to one's emotions.
What is Emotional Regulation?
What is Radical Acceptance?
Acronym common in 12-Step reminding people in recovery they are vulnerable to relapse in these four different states.
What is H.A.L.T.? (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)