Twelve Steps
Someone with a thorough knowledge of the twelve steps who helps guide a newcomer through the processes.
A Sponsor *Do you have your sponsor? Share about your experience
A movie about a hard-drinking New York journalist who takes her reputation as the life and soul of the party too far when she knocks over her sister's wedding cake and crashes the bridal limousine. When a court orders her into rehab for a month, she initially refuses, but eventually she begins to take her substance abuse seriously.
28 days
The practice of taking an active role in doing something for yourself that improve can your well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Examples are taking a shower or bath, doing something to make yourself feel pretty or handsome, or just take some time for you.
Self-Care *Share one thing you do for self-care.
A powerful desire to use substances is a _____?
Craving *What is your experience with cravings?
What word describes feelings, people, or situations that cause the brain to want to use substances. If you're not aware of them, they can cause you to relapse?
Triggers! Each group member name one of their triggers to receive points.
Who is seen as the most important person in thes rooms at meetings?
The newcomer
This metallic man has been in recovery since 2003. He was introduced to drugs by his famous father and spent time in jail. He saw a resurgence in his popularity since entering recovery and staring in a series of hit movies.
Robert Downey Jr.
A state of mind where you are thankful and taking notice of the good things in your life, rather than focusing on the bad?
Gratitude *What is one thing you are grateful for today?
A common phrase repeated in AA/NA as an important part of recovery. This saying is a reminder to stay present by not rumination on the shame of our past or stressing about our fears of the future.
"One day at a Time" what does this saying mean to you?
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
Where was AA started?
Akron, Ohio
his famous British singer, songwriter, and pianist recently had a biopic made of his life. He was knighted by the Queen of England and is one of the bestselling musical artists of all time. He went through recovery, built AA/NA meetings into his tour schedule, and has also sponsored other celebrities such as Eminem.
Elton John
A practice done by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Mindfulness *Share about you experience with mindfulness.
Symptoms you experience several weeks or months after you have finished detoxing that are related to the body healing from substance use. These tend to be more mental and emotional rather than physical.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) *What PAWS symptoms have you experienced?
This state of mind can be fatal for recovery! It's characterized by being too comfortable or not feeling motivated to continue doing the work.
Complacency, name one thing to do to combat complacency.
Who started Alanon?
Lois W. (wife of AA co-founder Bill W.). Have you attended Alanon, is that a program you think would be helpful in your life?
The movie details the true story of stockbroker who was a World War I veteran whose drinking problem becomes a serious addiction and causes him to lose his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929. His career and his domestic life are in tatters when he meets someone who is also struggling with a drinking problem. The duo founded a support group.
My Name is Bill W
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances.
Hint: this is a coping skill I talk about a lot...
Changing the Channel *What are things you do to Change the Channel?
What does it mean in addiction if we have hit a point where we are spiritually, financially, physically, and emotionally at our lowest point.
Rock Bottom
What is a skill that ways to good and bad of using? This can help prevent a relapse as well as combat cravings.
Pro and Cons list
What is the third step prayer?
God, I offer myself to Thee, to build with me, and to do with me as thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always.
*What does this prayer mean to you?
This famous actor is known for his character named after a weapon. He served jail time and became a boxing champion in San Quentin, after which he completed a 12-step program and has been sober for over 4 decades. He was first discovered as an actor while attending an AA meeting! Now he is a successful restaurateur and appeared as the Racoon in the Masked Singer show.
Danny Trejo
A technique involves running "a mental videotape” of the entire relapse process. It involves going through the process from start to finish and noting all the changes that would occur if you gave into the temptation.
Playing the tape through * Have you tried this? Is it helpful?
What program teaches tools based on scientifically rested methods for addiction recovery? This program teaches Self-Management and Recovery Training. The goal of this program is to move on when you feel confident your addictive behavior is behind you, rather than remaining a permanent participant. This is also not a spiritual or religious program.
Smart Recovery
What are the three stages of relapse?
Emotion, Mental and Physical.
Emotional relapse is the first phase of the three phases of relapse. During this stage, the person is not actively thinking about using drugs or alcohol. However, their emotions and behaviors may be setting them up for a relapse down the road.
When we choose to not work on any signs or symptoms of the emotional stage, there is increased risk of transitioning to the second stage of relapse, which is mental relapse. Once in mental relapse, which is best described as a war going on inside one’s mind, the individual is at high risk for physical relapse. Part of them wants to use, while the other part doesn’t. Fantasizing about using is not uncommon in this stage. As individuals go deeper into the mental relapse stage, their cognitive resistance to relapse diminishes and their need of escape increases. It is important to remember that occasional thoughts of using are normal in early recovery, but the thoughts that occur during mental relapse are different as they are thoughts of considering making an actual choice to use rather than a fleeting thought of using.
When a person doesn’t take the time to acknowledge and address the symptoms from emotional and mental relapse, it doesn’t take long to lead down the path to physical relapse. This includes the act of drinking alcohol or using other drugs. The key is to reach out for help if you find yourself in physical relapse immediately in order to stop the vicious cycle of addiction before it is too late.
What is something you can do to get out of each stage?