Executive Functioning
This process within executive functioning represents the ability to start and finish tasks without procrastination.
Task Initiation
This zone represents the level of regulation where someone is regulated enough to think, feel, and respond in ways that they choose, rather than falling into stress reactivity.
The "Window of Tolerance"
This is something that increases the likelihood of craving or returning to substance use.
A trigger.
"I'm having a craving, but I'm going to notice where I feel it in my body and watch it change without acting on it."
Urge surfing.
Myth or Fact: Substance abuse is primarily a lack of willpower
Myth, obiv
This process of executive functioning is the ability to access skills and tools from memory in order to complete tasks or work toward goals.
Working Memory
Flight and Fight are examples of this level of activation.
HYPERactivation
A change in thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or circumstances that may indicate increasing relapse risk.
Warning Sign
"I'm noticing that I'm starting to shut down, so I'm going to ground myself and reconnect with the room."
Grounding
Myth or Fact: Someone can have a substance use disorder if they don't use every day.
Fact. Some medications carry dependence and/or addiction risks, even when prescribed and used therapeutically.
What determines a substance use disorder?
This process of executive functioning is the ability to manage and cope with emotions in order to move forward, as well as regulating one's emotions
Emotional Control
These are two examples (behaviors/symptoms) of what hypoarousal look like
Shutdown, numbness, dissociation, extreme fatigue, withdrawal, or feeling disconnected.
These are three behaviors someone can do when they recognize they are entering a high-risk situation.
Leave the situation, contact support, use a coping skill, delay the decision, change environments, attend a meeting/group, etc.
"I'm furious and want to send a nasty text, so I'm putting my phone down and taking a walk instead."
Opposite Action
Myth or Fact: Regular, intense cravings indicate that that someone is considering relapsing.
Myth. Cravings are a common part of recovery and can occur without someone actually wanting to return to substance use.
This process of executive functioning is the ability to stop and consider behaviors and consequences BEFORE acting.
Impulse Control
In the "gas and brakes" analogy, what does hyperactivation represent?
Too much gas; too much stress activation creating mobilization.
Someone says, "I've already messed up today, so I might as well keep using." What relapse-prevention concept could help challenge this thinking?
The abstinence violation effect
Working with distortions: all-or-nothing thinking.
"I keep thinking I'm a failure, but I'm going to examine the evidence and come up with a more balanced thought."
Reframing/restructuring
Myth or Fact: Avoiding triggers forever is the only effective way to prevent relapse.
Myth. Avoiding unnecessary high-risk situations can be helpful, but recovery also involves developing coping skills, support systems, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate triggers safely.
This process of executive functioning is the ability to view and evaluate oneself including reflection on one's actions, consequences, emotions, thinking, and more.
Self-Monitoring
This is the nervous system state that someone might experience when they become overwhelmed during an argument and suddenly feel numb, disconnected, and unable to respond.
Hypoactivation/freeze response/shutdown.
These are the three stages of relapse
Emotional, Mental, Physical
"I don't need to solve my entire life today. What's one tiny thing I can do that moves me toward the life I want?"
Values-guided action or "One Small Step"
Myth or Fact: I deserve recovery, happiness, joy and love
Fact, obvi!!