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
what is a concern in the recovery community over 12-step programs?
biased facilitation and "curing" addiction.
discussion: do you agree with the confliction? why or why not?
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
this state of mind is harmful to recovery. its characterized by being too comfortable or unmotivated to "do the work"
complacency
bonus: 100pts to anyone willing to share a time when they were complacent (does not have to be addiction specific)
what step relates to making amends to those wronged by our addiction?
bonus question anyone can answer: when do you avoid making direct amends?
step 9
bonus answer: when it would cause harm to the person you are making the amend to. we call this "living amends" or living the changes as a sign of remorse in effort to do the "next right thing"
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
the feeling of being trapped in a never ending stream of "unmanageable problems" and giving up/caving in to urges seem like the only option.
this term is a symptom of complacency
hint: if you are trapped and cant move you are ______.
immobilized/ immobilization
what is the only requirement to be a member of NA
a desire to stop using (tradition 3)
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances
"changing the channel"
this is a slang term to encourage or introduce a different topic of discussion, usually intentionally.
convincing yourself that it is okay to engage in addictive behaviors or use substances is called ____?
Justification
12-step programs view addiction as an ______
and you "break out"
allergy
examples: “When I drink I break out in a binge" or "I break out in handcuffs and track marks"
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
therapy or counseling
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.
when can you bring a friend or family member to a meeting?
if the meeting is listed as OPEN.
closed meetings are for addicts only.
bonus: what 12 step group could you suggest for your family? hint: started by Bill W's wife.
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)