Recovery Basics
This term describes a situation, emotion, or person that increases the risk of substance use.
What is a trigger?
This Step involves admitting powerlessness over addiction and that life has become unmanageable.
What is Step One?
This short prayer asks for calm in things you cannot change, courage in things you can, and wisdom to know the difference.
What is the Serenity Prayer?
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
What are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired?
This common recovery saying reminds people to focus only on today instead of worrying about the future.
What is “One day at a time”?
This term describes the process of returning to use after a period of abstinence, often beginning mentally before physically.
What is relapse.
This Step focuses on making a searching and fearless moral inventory.
What is Step Four?
This phrase from the Big Book describes the idea that recovery depends on willingness, honesty, and open-mindedness.
What are the “three essentials”?
What type of triggers originate from emotional or psychological states rather than the environment?
What are internal triggers?
What slogan reminds members to rely on guidance from their Higher Power rather than acting on self-will or impulse?
What is “Let go and let God”?
This mental process occurs when someone believes they can control their use despite repeated negative consequences.
What is denial.
This Step involves becoming entirely ready to have defects of character removed.
What is Step Six?
This AA prayer is often used at the end of meetings and asks for help staying sober just for the current day.
What is the “Just for Today” prayer?
What structured approach involves identifying high-risk situations and pre-planning coping responses?
What is a relapse prevention plan?
What phrase encourages slowing down and avoiding impulsive decisions in recovery?
What is “Easy does it”?
This stage of recovery involves recognizing there is a problem and beginning to consider change.
What is the contemplation stage?
This Step requires making direct amends to others wherever possible, except when it would cause harm.
What is Step Nine?
This chapter of the Big Book is where readers first encounter the program’s steps presented in structured written form.
What is “How It Works”?
This cognitive distortion, often summarized as “just one won’t hurt,” is a common precursor to relapse.
What is rationalization?
What slogan promotes steady improvement instead of perfection?
What is “Progress, not perfection”?
This is the practice of regularly checking in with yourself to notice thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that could affect your recovery.
What is self-awareness (or self-monitoring)?
This Step emphasizes continued personal inventory and promptly admitting when wrong, often considered a daily maintenance step.
What is Step Ten?
This AA practice involves reflecting on your day, including mistakes and progress, often in a quiet or prayerful way.
What is asking to remove defects of character (Step 7 idea)?
This brain system is heavily involved in reward, motivation, and is strongly activated by substance-related cues.
What is the dopamine reward system?
This saying reminds people that staying the same in thoughts or behaviors will lead to the same outcomes in recovery.
What is “If nothing changes, nothing changes”?