What Makes an Addiction?
Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical/psychological symptoms (e.g. shakes, restless legs, body aches/pains, nausea, etc.)
What is withdrawal?
The oldest known intoxicating substance used specifically for recreational purposes (even dating back to biblical times).
What is alcohol?
We experience these in our mind, heart, and gut and it is important to learn how to manage our reactions to them. They can be very powerful motivators.
What are feelings/emotions?
A strong addictive urge that can pull you in a way that you may not want to go if you're not careful.
What is a craving?
(2000's) This artist was referred to as the King of Pop, died due to complications from prescription drugs in 2009.
Who is Michael Jackson?
It takes more and more of a substance to get the same effect which often fuels the desire and need for using larger amounts or stronger drugs.
What is tolerance?
Class of drugs used medicinally for thousands of years to relieve physical pain, but nowadays is often abused to relieve emotional pain.
What is opiates/opioids?
It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things. It can make even small things seem or feel overwhelming. Change in particular is associated with this.
What is anxiety?
What is a setback? (Lapse will also be accepted)
(1990's) Singer of one of the most popular grunge bands in the 1990's, was known to be addicted to heroin, died at the age of 27 in 1994 from a gunshot wound to the head.
Who is Kurt Cobain?
Failure to recognize the truth about a problem, particularly an addiction, is often referred to as this
What is denial?
Despite evident signs of addiction, some people may believe that they are not addicted just because they may be obtaining drugs this legal medical way. Some people may mistakenly believe these drugs may be safer because a doctor signs off on them.
What are prescription drugs?
These changing temporary states of mind can make use feel high, low, and everything in between so it is important to be able to regulate them
What is a mood?
Some people may try to deal with substance use issues by attempting to use less, or change to a less harmful substance. If that isn't working you may need to consider this more basic option:
What is total abstinence/sobriety?
(1980's) This Saturday Night Live actor was a legendary actor and comedian who shocked the world when he overdosed and died from mixing cocaine and heroin in 1982 at the height of his fame.
Who is John Belushi?
Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly.
What are negative consequences?
The vast majority of people who use this legal plant use it as often as 10 or 20 times a day despite knowing it is the number one killer of all substances in the world.
What is tobacco?
World Wide tobacco kills more than 7 million people a year. 480,000 yearly in the United States, include 41,000 second hand smoke related deaths.
It is essential to learn to eliminate this negative emotion which stems from holding on to anger and grudges.
*Double bonus*
In which of the twelve steps do we make a list of these?
What is resentment?
Double bonus: Step 4.
With more severe addiction, particularly opioids or alcohol, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this:
What is Medication or Medically Assisted Treatment?
(1970s) This iconic musician is one of the top earning dead celebrities today, still earning over 50 million a year for his music despite during from complications of prescription drug addiction in 1977.
Who is Elvis Presley?
When you spend too much, use too much, or too often and life problems are steadily piling up, it's a good sign you have lost this:
What is control?
Stimulants such as cocaine, speed, and methamphetamine when take for long periods of time can induce a mental state of hallucinations and extreme paranoid delusions called:
What is psychosis or substance induced psychosis?
Sometimes addiction can be directly linked to deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that occurred earlier in life and has had lasting negative impacts which can be called:
What is trauma / PTSD?
They say relapse doesn't suddenly happen out of nowhere - It's not an event, it is often a much more gradual ______
*double bonus*
Name the stages of relapse.
What is a process?
Double Bonus Answer:
Emotional, Mental, physical
(1960s) This world famous movie star (famous movies include Niagra, Some Like it Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, etc) shocked the world in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose which some say was accidental, some say it was intentional, and some say it was murder.
Who is Marilyn Monroe?