Brain & Body
How can substance use affect your brain's ability to make healthy decisions?
Substance use can impair judgment, impulse control, problem-solving, and decision-making by affecting areas of the brain responsible for these functions.
What is the difference between a trigger and a craving?
A trigger is something that reminds a person of substance use or unhealthy behaviors; a craving is the urge to use or engage in that behavior.
Why is it important to take medications as prescribed?
Taking medications as prescribed helps manage symptoms, improve stability, and reduce the risk of complications. If they are not taken as prescribed, they can lead to additional health risks or side effects that can cause further harm to our wellbeing.
What is the difference between a healthy support person and an unhealthy influence?
A healthy support person encourages recovery and growth, while an unhealthy influence may encourage risky behaviors or undermine recovery.
Myth or Fact: Relapse means treatment has failed.
Myth. Relapse can be a setback, but it can also provide important information and opportunities for learning.
What are some physical signs that stress is building up before you recognize it emotionally?
Headaches, increased heart rate, muscle tension, stomach problems, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or changes in appetite.
Name three common triggers people experience in recovery.
Stress, certain people, certain places, loneliness, boredom, anger, celebrations, and relationship conflicts.
What should you do if you think a medication is causing side effects?
Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping or changing the medication.
Name three types of support available in recovery.
Family, friends, peer support groups, sponsors, counselors, therapists, faith communities, and recovery programs.
Myth or Fact: Recovery is possible for people with both mental health and substance use disorders.
Fact.
Why is sleep important for both mental health and recovery?
Sleep helps regulate mood, improve concentration, strengthen coping skills, reduce cravings, and support overall brain function.
Why can positive events sometimes be triggers for relapse?
People may associate celebrations or rewards with past substance use and feel tempted to use again.
How can medications support recovery from mental health or substance use disorders?
They may help reduce symptoms, improve functioning, decrease cravings, or support long-term recovery. Depending on the medication, they can help to balance neurochemicals in our brain that may have been deficient or dysregulated due to genetic or developed conditions, helping us to function in daily life more comfortably and authentically.
Why is asking for help often difficult for people in recovery?
Fear of judgment, pride, shame, trauma, trust issues, lack of insight into the problem or wanting to handle problems alone.
Myth or Fact: You have to hit "rock bottom" before getting help.
Myth. Anyone can seek help at any point, and early intervention often leads to better outcomes.
How can exercise help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, or cravings?
Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, reduces stress, improves mood, and provides a healthy coping strategy.
What coping skills can help when a strong craving hits unexpectedly?
Calling support people, distraction, deep breathing, exercise, using grounding skills, attending meetings, or leaving triggering situations.
Why is it risky to stop taking prescribed psychiatric medication without talking to a provider?
Symptoms may return or worsen, withdrawal effects may occur, and recovery can become more difficult. Providers can help provide safe and effective strategies to alter or get off of medications with decreased risk to ourselves and offer additional support as needed.
What qualities make someone trustworthy enough to be part of your support system?
Honesty, reliability, respect, confidentiality, healthy boundaries, and encouragement.
Myth or Fact: Medications for mental health are just a crutch.
Myth. Medications can be an important treatment tool, just like medications used for other health conditions. Many people rely on substances as a form of self-medication, and receiving safe alternate treatment options can help to continue meeting that need in a safe and structured manner.
What happens to the brain's reward system during addiction, and how can it heal over time?
Addiction changes the brain's reward pathways, making substances seem more rewarding than healthy activities. With recovery, healthy rewards and brain functioning can gradually improve. Thanks, neuroplasticity!
How do thoughts, feelings, and environments work together to increase relapse risk?
Negative thoughts, difficult emotions, and triggering environments can combine to increase stress and vulnerability to relapse.
What are some barriers that make it difficult for people to stay consistent with medications?
Forgetfulness, side effects, cost, stigma, transportation issues, lack of understanding, or feeling better and deciding they're no longer needed.
How can social isolation increase the risk of relapse or worsening mental health symptoms?
Isolation reduces accountability, support, connection, and opportunities to receive help when struggling.
BONUS: What are three things that help people maintain long-term recovery?
Healthy coping skills, a strong support system, treatment/medication adherence when appropriate, self-awareness, structure/routine, and willingness to ask for help.