Coping With Urges
Name one thing you can do for 10 minutes when a craving hits to help it pass?
What is "walking" "calling someone" deep breathing" "listening to music" drinking water" "coloring" etc. ?
This legal substance kills more Americans each year than alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and many other drugs combined.
What is tobacco?
What organ is most commonly damaged by long-term heavy alcohol use?
What is the liver?
Many people use substances not because they are weak but because they haven't mastered this difficult emotional state.
What is stress, pain, loneliness, trauma, anxiety, sadness, etc. ?
When an urge hits, you allow a craving to peak and then decrease without trying to push it away or change it, then watching it eventually subside. What is this called?
What is "riding the wave" or "urge surfing"?
True or False: Your brain can begin healing within days or weeks after stopping alcohol or drugs.
What is true?
However, lapses and especially relapses can undo the healing progress.
Smoking increases risk for diseases in the lungs, heart, and this body system that helps fight illness.
What is the immune system?
This feeling often grows when people isolate and shrinks when they connect with supportive people.
What is loneliness?
HALT is a recovery tool. Name what at least one letter stands for.
What is "hungry" "angry" "lonely" "tired" ?
Nicotine reaches the brain in roughly this many seconds after inhaling a cigarette.
What is about 10 seconds?
This stimulant can cause severe sleep deprivation, severe tooth and gum decay, paranoia, and psychosis.
What is methamphetamine?
True or False: Addiction is often connected to attempts to cope with emotional pain?
What is True?
True or False: Most cravings last forever unless you give in to them.
What is False?
This sugary drink may contain more sugar than many candy bars.
What is soda?
Excessive sugary foods and drinks increase risk for this disease involving blood sugar.
What is diabetes?
Fill in the blank: "The opposite of addiction is not just sobriety. It is _____"
What is connection?
Instead of asking "How can I stop this urge?" a recovery mindset asks this question instead:
What is "How can I get through this urge safely?"
The human brain uses this chemical, involved in pleasure, motivation, and addiction.
What is dopamine.
Name two life areas that addiction commonly harms besides physical health.
What are relationships, finances, employment, housing, legal issues, education, self-esteem, etc. ?
Name one healthy need that people sometimes try to meet through substances.
What is belonging, comfort, relief, excitement, confidence, sleep, energy, relaxation, etc. ?