Relapse Prevention
feelings, individuals, or situations that cause your brain to crave substances; if you are unaware of them they could be a factor for relapse.
Triggers
a powerful desire to use substances
often perceived as "impulsive" and "uncontrollable"
craving
Describe the Roadmap to Recovery
*Stages that explain different parts of the recovery process
This film is the true story of William Griffith Wilson, a World War I veteran whose small drinking problem becomes a serious addiction after he loses his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929. Wilson's career and his domestic life are in tatters when he meets Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, also struggling with a drinking problem. The two form a support group that becomes the basis for a famous organization.
My name is Bill W
A mental state achieved 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
Those suffering from addiction often have one or more medical issues that occur as well. True or False?
True
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
these thoughts are harmful in recovery and can be things we tell ourselves to talk us into using again
Relapse justification thoughts
bonus: 100pts to anyone willing to share a time when they had a justification thought
someone who guides a newcomer through the process of 12-step groups
sponsor
200 bonus points for sharing what you know about sponsorship, what you like about the idea of it, and how a "bad" sponsor could affect recovery success.
What does the "Wall" Stage look like in the Roadmap to Recovery?
bonus question anyone can answer: describe your time in the wall stage
*third stage
*"normal" life; anhedonia; emotional swings; decreased ability to feel pleasure; "doctor shopping"; loss of motivation; secondary drug/alcohol use; breakdown of structure
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 or "Iron Man"
The practice of taking an active role in regularly doing things that improve your well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress
self-care
You will always notice drug's effect on physical health immediately.
True or False?
False
you may notice the cognitive effects immediately but it takes its toll on your body over time.
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
believing in our ability so greatly that it can cause us setbacks or problems in relation to recovery and mental health
overconfidence
the physical symptoms experienced after detoxification that relate to the "bodily healing" from substance abuse
Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms or (PAWS)
What "Stage of Change" fits the following description:
some awareness of the problem; thinking about pros/cons; some awareness of changing; going back and forth on willingness
Contemplation
This 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 best selling 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.
Sir Elton John
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
therapy or counseling
Drug addiction can:
A) Cause mental health issues
B) Develop because of pre-existing mental health issues
C) Does not effect mental health issues
D) A and B
D
Name at least 3 reasons people use drugs
To feel better (stress, depression, etc)
To feel good (socially, pleasure, relaxation)
Curiosity (peer pressure, seeking a thrill, etc)
Fear of withdrawal (using to avoid feeling ill/dope sick/ hungover) ex: drinking as an "eye opener"
What is the very first step in the eleven steps of the relapse process?
You have a change of attitude
*irritable; complaining about recovery activities; stop doing recovery activities...
what does the acronym HALT stand for?
hint: it reminds us to stop and evaluate current feelings
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
Five possible PAWS symptoms are...
*irritability; stress sensitivity; fatigue; paranoia; difficulty concentrating; tremors; sleep issues; memory problems...
A biopic of a famous country music legend and his rise to fame in Tennessee. While on tour, he meets the love of his life, singer June Carter. However, things take a turn when he becomes involved in drugs and his marriage to first wife, Vivian, begins to fall apart. June eventually helps him recover from his addiction and he proposes to her in front of a live audience.
Walk the Line (Johnny Cash)
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances
Opposite Action
Name 3 specific areas of the body that can be affected by drug use
Mouth
Liver
Throat
Lungs
Skin
Kidney
Bladder
Heart
Brain
Describe the steps of DEARMAN
D- Describe; E-Express; A- Assert; R-Reinforce; M-Mindful; A-Appear Confident; N-Negotiate
*For 200 bonus points, roleplay a DEARMAN script
how could over commitment lead to relapse?
This can lead to feeling overloaded and under pressure.
increased stress that promotes escapism
encourages grandiosity and wishful thinking in high risk situations
recovery is not a race- it can set unrealistic expectations for recovery.
using another hobby, substance, or activity to replace or substitute feelings/results that you used to get from using
cross addiction
What are the five stages of change?
Pre-contemplation; Contemplation; Preparation; Action; Maintenance
discussion: Can someone identify which stage they are in and explain
What child film star, part of the biggest movie franchise of the 2000s shared the following statement on alcohol abuse: “I was living in constant fear of who I’d meet, what I might have said to them, what I might have done with them, so I’d stay in my apartment for days and drink alone. I was a recluse at 20. It was pathetic – it wasn’t me. I’m a fun, polite person, and it turned me into a rude bore.”
Daniel Radcliffe
preferred coping skill: exercise
what are the pros and cons of "emotional release" as a coping skill?
Pros: releases the pressure of overwhelming emotions
cons: cannot be done in every situation. some people might think you are acting crazier.
example: a teacher frustrated by a classroom of students chatting/ignoring him might do a "box jump" on the desk to get everyone to focus on him. (not making this up- my government teacher did this- worked every time and people thought he was insane)
Name 3 diseases or illnesses that can result from drug use
Hepatitis
Heart disease
Obesity
Mental health
HIV
Cancer
Stroke
Name 3 reasons that can influence whether or not a person becomes addicted
Genetics (family history)
Age
Environmental factors (neighborhood, friends)
Gender
ethnicity