All things AA
What constitutes a 'burning desire' ?
This is the primary "feel good" chemical and neurotransmitter in the brain is heavily released during substance use, reinforcing the desire to use again?
What is dopamine
This single biological factor, passed down from parents, accounts for 40%-60% of a person's vulnerability to developing an addiction
What are genetics
This simple, physical coping mechanism involves taking slow, controlled breaths into the abdomen to instantly lower heart rate and reduce sudden urges
What is deep breathing
These external people, places, or things—or internal emotions—can suddenly spark an intense urge or craving to use substances again.
What are triggers
What is the purpose of Step 4?
To make a searching and fearless inventory of ourselves. Looking inward to examine your past behavior, patterns, and flaws with total transparency.
As a person continues to use drugs/alcohol, the brain adapts by reducing its natural production of dopamine, leading to this condition where more of the substance is needed to feel the same effect.
What is tolerance
This protective factor involves having strong, supportive relationships with family, friends, or mentors who encourage healthy behaviors.
What is a support system
This specific category of coping skills relies on physically leaving a high-risk situation or shifting attention to an unrelated activity, like exercising or reading, to let a craving pass.
What are distractions
This immediate, short-term lapse in sobriety occurs when a person uses a substance once, but stops themselves before returning to continuous, active addiction.
What is a slip
When was AA founded and by who?
1935, Bill Wilson & Robert Smith (Dr. Bob)
This part of the brain is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and logical judgment , is physically altered and weakened during active addiction.
This psychological protective factor describes a person's ability to bounce back, and cope with adversity or trauma (without relying on substances)
Resilience
This practice involves paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment, helping individuals observe their thoughts and cravings without automatically acting on them.
What is mindfulness
This specific plan outlines step-by-step actions, contact numbers, and coping mechanisms to use immediately when a craving becomes overwhelming.
What is a safety/relapse prevention plan
What is the difference between an "open meeting" and a "closed meeting"?
Open meetings are open to everyone, including supporters. Closed meetings are strictly for AA members or anyone who has a drinking problem or desire to stop drinking.
This long-lasting process describes how the brain's neural pathways heal, rewire, and return to a balanced state after a person stops using substances and enters recovery
Experiencing stress or abuse during this specific stage of development serves as a major environmental risk factor that alters brain wiring permanently
What is childhood
This cognitive coping technique involves identifying negative, automatic thoughts and deliberately challenging or replacing them with realistic, balanced perspectives.
What is cognitive restructuring/reframing
This type of relapse begins internally weeks or months before actual substance use, marked by isolating, neglecting self-care, and bottled-up feelings.
What is an emotional relapse
The first edition of the Big Book was published in this year.
1939
This substance triggers a massive surge of dopamine of 1,000% or more above baseline
What is amphetamines/methamphetamine
This common risk factor occurs when an individual simultaneously experiences both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression.
What is a co-occurring disorder
This acronym describes four high-risk states—Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired—that individuals must monitor and actively manage to prevent relapse.
What is HALT
This healthy boundary strategy involves recognizing high-risk situations ahead of time and choosing to completely steer clear of them.
What is avoidance