Things We Need To Know
We make dozens if not hundreds of these a day with our mind and one of the best ways to improve our lives is to practice making good ones
What is Decisions/Choices
A strong addictive urge that can pull you in a way you may not want to go if you are not careful
What is Cravings
We experience these in our mind, heart and gut and it is important to learn how to manage our reaction to them
Feelings / Emotions
Refusing to acknowledge that a problem exists
What is: Denial
This step involves asking a higher power to remove short-comings
What is: Step 7: "Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings"
When you spend too much, use too much or too often and life problems are steadily piling up, it is a good sign you have lost this
What is Control
You may have went backwards a little bit but still you didn’t completely relapse
Setback
It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things
Anxiety
Pointing to others as the cause of the behavior. (“I wouldn’t drink so much if you would just quit nagging me.”)
What is: Blaming
In this step, your list looked like this: Wanting things my way, Wanting special treatment, Wanting others to meet my needs
What is: Step 4? Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly
What is Consequences
Some people may try to deal with substance use issue by attempting use less, or change to a less harmful substance. If that isn’t working you may need to consider this more basic old option
Abstinence/Sobriety
These changing temporary states of mind can be make us feel high, low and everything in between so it is important to be able to regulate these
Moods
Supplying reasons that “justify” one’s unhealthy behavior. (“Hey, I don’t want to drink so much, but it’s the only way that I can deal with the pressures at work and still keep my job.”)
What is Rationalization?
I knew that my higher power could help me feel sane again.
What is: Step 2? "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"
When you feel like using, you should ask yourself whether you are H.A.L.T. What does this stand for?
What is hungry, angry, lonely, tired.
With more severe addiction, particularly opioid, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this
Medication or Medication Assisted Treatment
It is essential to learn to eliminate this negative emotion which stems from holding on to anger and grudges
Resentment
Abandoning friends or family members in order to pursue one’s addiction without being criticized or asked to stop.
What is: Isolation
In this step your list looked like this.... Your Mom because you took money from her, Your friend because you lied to her about everything, Your boss because you didn't show up for the big presentation.
What is Step 8? "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all"
Name the 5 stages of change
What is: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance
They say relapse doesn’t suddenly happen out of nowhere – It’s not an event, it is often much more of a gradual ____.
Process
Sometimes addiction can be directly linked to deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that occurred earlier in life all of which is referred to as: _____
Trauma/PTSD
Taking negative emotions one is feeling and assigning them to others, which some experts believe to be associated with paranoia.
What is: Projection
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs is this step.
What is: Step 12