Skills
SMART Recovery, Narcotics Anonymos, or Alcoholics Anonymous
Self-help, 12 step, or support groups for substance use
Intrinsic Motivation
Motivation that is fueled by self without any obvious external rewards
Many people in recovery experience a lack of THIS neurochemical, often causing depressive symptoms
Dopamine
Fill in the blank.
Think ________, not stronger.
smarter
"Riding the wave"
A psychological practice of "surfing" your own powerful and negative emotions. Fighting emotions such as sadness and anger delays the acceptance of these emotions. Riding the wave is about allowing your emotions to be with you without acting ineffectively.
Taking breaks, creating boundaries with others, sleep, healthy eating habits, exercise, and finding activities you enjoy are all forms of THIS
Self-care
External Motivation
Motivation that is primarily due to external pressure or rewards (i.e. pressure from family, friends, or the legal system and/or doing something for financial reward)
True
This often gets confused for peace in recovery
Boredom
An emotion that is often characterized as negative, but can help us understand what we care most about
Anger
An important part of recovery is making sure you have THIS
a supportive recovery community
Neurochemical that influences motivation
Dopamine
Flight, Fight, or....
Freeze
Compulsive behaviors
Actions that are engaged in repeatedly and consistently, despite the fact that they are experienced as aversive or troubling
The emotion experienced when we experience loss
Grief
Identifying THESE and talking it through with someone can help alleviate cravings
Triggers for use
This can often help increase our motivation
Action or opposite action - (i.e. faking it till you make it)
Another neurochemical besides dopamine
Seratonin
Also accepted: adrenaline, endorphins, GABA, oxytocin
This plays a role in how and why we become addicted to substances
Biology
Also accepted: Environment, Development, Psychology
Finish the sentence:
Be curious, not _________ of your emotions
judgmental
Practicing THIS will help create space between a stimulus and your response, can cultivate self-awareness, and ultimately the builds your "observer" self
Mindfulness OR Meditation
BONUS: What is an observer self?
Someone who is in THIS stage of change may not be ready to make a change or may not be aware they have a problem
Precontemplative
THESE areas of your brain are important to decision-making processes and are damaged during addiction
Prefrontal cortex, frontal cortex
Also accepted: the front part of your brain
Creates shame around addiction and may keep those suffering from asking for help
Stigma
Loneliness vs. Solitude
Loneliness is a lack of meaningful connection with others, even when we are surrounded by people.
Solitude is often mistaken for loneliness, but it is the deliberate act of being by yourself and being present with your own thoughts and emotions.