Recovery Basics
What is sobriety?
Remaining free from alcohol or drugs.
Name a healthy coping skill.
Deep breathing, exercise, calling a support person, or journaling.
What is a sponsor or mentor?
A person with recovery experience who offers guidance and encouragement.
Why is sleep important in recovery?
It acts as the body's primary restoration system.
What is gratitude?
Taking time to appreciate positive people, experiences, and opportunities.
What is a trigger?
A person, place, feeling, or situation that increases the urge to use substances.
What are healthy boundaries?
Setting these can help people avoid situations and relationships that threaten their recovery.
What are recovery support meetings?
These provide connection, accountability, and support from others with similar experiences.
How does exercise help recovery?
Improves mood, reduces stress and anxiety, decreases cravings, and promotes better sleep.
Why is honesty important in recovery?
Dismantles the denial that fuels substance use, fosters genuine accountability, and helps you rebuild trust with loved ones.
What is a craving?
A strong desire or urge to use alcohol or drugs.
What should you do when cravings increase?
Surf the urge, distract your brain, escape the environment, and practice grounding or self talk.
What is a healthy relationship?
Trust, honesty, respect, and healthy boundaries are characteristics of this.
What role does nutrition play in recovery?
Provides the essential building blocks your body needs to heal, replenish energy, and regulate mood.
What does accountability mean?
Accepting responsibility for your actions and commitments.
What is a recovery plan?
A personalized guide that outlines goals, coping skills, and support resources to maintain recovery.
What are warning signs of relapse?
Increased isolation, skipping meetings, and romanticizing past substance use.
What is support for recovery?
Encouragement, understanding, communication, and accountability.
How can stress affect recovery?
Triggering the body's "fight-or-flight" response, which redirects energy away from repair and toward immediate survival.
What is goal setting?
Creating specific, measurable objectives can help strengthen motivation and direction through this process.
What is the difference between abstinence and recovery?
One means not using substances, while the other includes personal growth, lifestyle changes, and improved well-being.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
Identifying triggers, recognizing warning signs, practicing coping skills, and building support.
What is a recovery support network?
A personalized web of individuals and resources that help a person sustain long-term recovery.
What are effective self-care practices for long-term wellness?
Prioritizing 7–9 hours of quality sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, moving your body daily, and practicing mindfulness to manage stress.
What is resilience?
The ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to challenges, and continue moving forward in recovery.