Your Amazing Body & Brain
This “feel-good” brain chemical can make us feel rewarded — and recovery helps it balance back out naturally
What is dopamine?
This medicine can block the “high” from opioids and sometimes comes as a once-a-month shot.
What is naltrexone (Vivitrol)?
HALT is a reminder to check four basic needs. What do the letters stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
Your body runs better when it’s hydrated! How many glasses of water are usually recommended per day?
About 8 (64 oz).
“One day at a time” reminds us to focus on this.
What is today / the present?
When someone suddenly stops drinking after heavy use, the brain may “overreact” and cause this serious type of seizure.
What is a withdrawal seizure?
Suboxone is a mix of two medicines. One is buprenorphine — do you know the other?
What is naloxone?
Relapse doesn’t usually “just happen.” The very first stage often starts with feelings, not actions. What’s it called?
What is emotional relapse?
This is the #1 sleep complaint people have early in recovery.
What is trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia)?
“Progress, not _____.”
What is perfection?
If the liver gets too scarred from alcohol, it can’t do its job well anymore. What is that called?
What is cirrhosis?
Nurses often give people this vitamin when they stop drinking to protect the brain.
What is thiamine (Vitamin B1)?
People, places, and things that remind you of using are called what?
What are triggers?
Moving your body — like walking, stretching, or dancing — releases this mood-boosting chemical.
What is serotonin (or endorphins)?
“You’re only as sick as your _____.”
What are your secrets?
PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) can last weeks or months. Can you name one symptom people often notice?
What is trouble sleeping, mood swings, or feeling anxious?
This long-acting opioid medicine can help people feel stable and avoid cravings.
What is methadone?
A craving feels powerful — but usually passes in about how long if you don’t act on it?
What is about 20–30 minutes?
Protein helps your body heal. Name one yummy protein food.
Eggs, beans, chicken, fish, tofu, etc.
“Nothing changes if _____.”
What is nothing changes?
Long-term heavy drinking can damage memory and thinking because of a vitamin deficiency. What’s the name of this brain disorder?
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (“wet brain”)?
This life-saving medicine can reverse an opioid overdose if given quickly.
What is naloxone (Narcan)?
There are 3 main stages of relapse. Can you name at least two?
What are emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse?
This “stress hormone” can go up when we don’t sleep, don’t eat well, or feel anxious.
What is cortisol?
This AA saying reminds us not to compare ourselves to others: “Don’t compare your _____ to someone else’s highlight reel.”
What is your insides?