Understanding Addiction & Recovery
It is a journey and a learning process which sometimes has setbacks.
What is Recovery?
Anything that makes you feel the urge to go back to using a substance or addictive behavior.
What is a trigger?
An intense desire to use substances or gamble.
What is a craving?
Abstinence, harm reduction, controlled use
What are goals in relation to substance use/gambling?
Hungary, angry, lonely, tired
What is H.A.L.T.?
A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
What is Addiction?
Food, physical activity, spending time with others
What are ways to release dopamine without using substance/gambling?
An imagery technique where you think about the urge or craving as a wave that crests and then washes to the beach.
What is Urge Surfing?
Saying "no" in different ways, example 'Broken Record'.
What are Refusal Skills?
Worsening anxiety, depression. withdrawing from others, spending time with friends who use or gamble
What are Early Warning Signs of Relapse?
Dopamine
What is the chemical in the brain that helps us feel pleasure and reward?
Have to do with thought and feelings.
What are Internal Triggers?
"This feeling will pass."
What is an example of Positive Self Talk?
Unpleasant emotions, testing personal control, conflict with others
What are examples of High-Risk Situations?
Thinking, feeling and doing by which people slide from change to relapse.
What is Recovery Drift?
Diabetes, hypertension, asthma
What has similar rates of relapse to Addiction?
Have to do with people, places, things and situations.
What are External Triggers?
Physical exercise, go for walk, talk to a friend, listen to music.
What are things I can do to manage a craving?
Triggering situation, early warning signs, relapse
What are the 3 Stages of Relapse?
Leave the situation, coping card, support people, distract yourself
What are examples of Relapse Prevention Skills?
Craving, control, compulsion, consequences
What are the 4 Cs of Addiction?
Avoid, Escape, Distract, Endure
What are the 4 basic strategies for coping with Triggers?
Deep Breaths, Delay, Distract, Decide, De- catastrophize
What are the 5Ds of coping?
Being able to speak your mind in an open, honest way and with respect.
What is Assertive?
A coping skill to use when feeling overwhelmed or in a risky situation and needing to take time to respond versus react, example '5 Senses Activity'.
What is a Grounding Activity?