12 Steps/Traditions of AA
What is the name of this prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the thing I can, and the wisdom to know the difference?
What is, the Serenity Prayer
MYTH or FACT: Addiction is a choice, not a disease
Myth – Addiction is a chronic brain disease that affects decision-making and impulse control
Talking, Listening, Sharing, Expressing
Definition: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior exchange of information
What is Communication
Listening to other addicts share without judging them is the beginning of listening to our own heart without judgment or punishment. We make peace with ourselves--with all we have gained, and lost, and learned, and become. Definition: The act of recognizing the truth of addiction and its impact on yourself and others.
What is Acceptance
True or False? Once you have a Mental Illness, you'll never be Mentally Healthy again.
What is, False
Research based on surveys of 970 people in recovery in England identified over 65%
of those surveyed recovered from mental illness. It is 66.5% in America.
What is the Twelfth Tradition of NA/AA?
What is, "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”
MYTH or FACT: You have to hit “rock bottom” before you can recover
MYTH: Recovery can begin at any stage; early help prevents worse outcomes
Counting to 10, Breathing, Positive self-talk, Consequential thinking, Grounding, stress management
What is Coping Skills or Meditation
The antidote to our diseased thinking. The most important tool in learning to live for today” (Narcotics Anonymous [NA], 1988, p. 92). You never will solve problems if you lie. You need to live in the facts. In sobriety, you must commit yourself to reality.
What is Honesty
True or False? Over 96,700 people die from drug overdoses in a year. The national OD rate is 21.6 deaths per 100,000 residents.
What is, False
Over 105,000 people die from drug overdoses annually, and the age-adjusted overdose death rate is about 31.3 deaths per 100,000 residents.
This step reveals character and your willingness to recovery.
What is Step 6
MYTH or FACT: Relapse means treatment didn’t work
MYTH: Relapse can be part of the recovery process and signals that the plan needs adjusting, not that recovery is impossible
The ability to control your emotions and actions, especially in the face of temptations and impulses. It is a cognitive process that helps you regulate your behavior to achieve specific goals. It is also a form of restraint exercised over your impulses, emotions, or desires.
Understanding that we are not unique. Most easily identified as an acceptance of who we truly are—neither worse nor better than we believed we were when we were using, just human. Definition: Freedom from pride or arrogance; the quality or state of being humble.
What is Humility
True or False? Achieving abstinence alone means the recovery journey is complete and no further growth or support is necessary.
False.
Achieving abstinence is only the beginning of recovery, not the end. Recovery is a lifelong process that involves: Healing beyond abstinence, Ongoing growth, Managing risk, Living fully.
Abstinence = stopping use
Recovery = ongoing journey of healing, growth, and connection
When are you an AA member?
What is, "When you say so." pg. 139 Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
MYTH or FACT: Willpower is not enough to overcome addiction
Fact: Recovery often requires support, coping skills, treatment, and sometimes medication
Relaxation, walking, healthy eating, proper sleep, setting aside "me" time, taking breaks, rewarding yourself
What is Self-Care
The quality of honestly upholding and sticking to your values. It's the consistent application of spiritual principles, no matter what the circumstances or who's watching.
What is Integrity
True or False? Because addiction is purely a matter of choice, genetics play no role in its development or risk.
False.
Addiction can have a genetic component. Research shows that genetics account for 40–60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction, while environment, trauma, and personal choices also play major roles.
Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
What is, Tradition 10
MYTH or FACT: The brain can heal after addiction
FACT: With time and sustained recovery, the brain rewires, and cognitive and emotional functions improve
Maintain limits with self and others, protecting your personal and emotional space, avoid negativity, saying the word "no" is a full sentence.
What is Setting or maintaining boundaries
The principle that keeps us sober. Carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
What is Service or Being of Service.
True or False? With over 40 million Americans ages 12 and older struggling with substance use, addiction and abuse impact fewer people than major chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
False
Substance use disorders affect over 40 million Americans, which is more than the number affected by heart conditions, diabetes, or cancer individually.
Heart disease: ~28 million Americans.
Diabetes: ~37 million Americans.
Cancer survivors: ~18 million Americans.