Relapse Prevention
Feelings, people, or situations that cause the brain to want to use substances. If you're not aware of them, they can cause you to relapse.
Triggers
What are/were your triggers
Someone who helps guide a newcomer through the processes of NA or AA
A Sponsor *Do you have your sponsor? Share about your experience
Changing the target of an emotion while the feelings remain the same. (Angry about a bad day at work and you go home and kick the dog.)
Displacement
Have you used displacement? Give an example.
Ask a group member about their experience with this defense mechanism.
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
Manipulation involving exploiting interactions between two people who are not communicating directly.
Triangulation
Give an example of how you used this in your addiction or in your recovery.
This state of mind can be fatal for recovery! It's characterized by being too comfortable or not feeling motivated to continue doing the work.
Complacency
Have you ever been complacent? How did you figure out that you were complacent? How did you respond to the complacency?
Steps 4 and 5
Share with the group your experiences with going through these steps.
Consciously removing an idea or feeling from consciousness.
Suppression
A practice pertaining to spirituality/religion that can be utilized daily. Address a solemn request or expression of thanks to a higher power.
Prayer
If you are willing to share, what is something that you've prayed about this week?
In a healthy relationship it is always important establish and maintain healthy ____________! (Personal limits that individuals set for themselves to protect their well-being, values, and sense of self within a relationship.)
Boundaries.
What is a boundary you've set within recovery.
*Ask two group members this question.
A phenomenon where an individual looks back at their addiction and thinking that their addiction as not being as bad as it was.
Minimization
Give an example where you've used minimization
Refers to an individual who has stopped drinking alcohol but continues to exhibit the same behaviors and attitudes associated with their previous drinking habits. This term, coined by the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dry Drunk
Have you experienced this in yourself or others? What were the behaviors or attitudes?
* Feedback from one group member
Returning to an earlier stage of development.
Regression
5 Senses Grounding Technique.
Contributing factors for why people may be codependent include.....
1. Upbringing and past experiences
2. Learned behavior
3. Denial/minimization
4. Low self esteem
5. Need for control
Identifying and writing down triggers, coping skills, people, and activities that can help prevent a relapse
Relapse Prevention Plan *Raise your hand if you have a relapse prevention plan
A common phrase repeated in AA/NA as an important part of recovery relating to the aspect of control and this saying may assist a person with accepting certain life circumstances as they are.
Can't change people, places, or things.
How has this saying helped you?
Channeling of one's emotions or urges into something more useful or safe, such as a person leaning into sports as a way to release stress and aggression.
Sublimation
Have you used this defense mechanism. If yes elaborate.
Getting professional support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
Therapy/Counseling
Ability to directly state your feelings and needs in a respectful manner.
Assertive/Effective Communication
Give an example of when you've used this communication and when you've used the other types of communication (passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive)
Convincing yourself that it's okay or that you have to use substances/engage in addictive behaviors
Relapse Justification
Have you ever used relapse justification. How?
Ask someone in the group this question.
Topic is covered in page 417 of the AA Big Book.
Acceptance.
Read section in the book.
What are you having difficulty accepting OR what have you had difficulty accepting in the past?
*Two follow up questions from group members
Attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto another person.
Example: You are being unfaithful to your spouse and suspecting or accusing them of infidelity.
Projection
Have you ever used this defense mechanism?
This written method of coping can help an individual process and reflect on themselves and their recovery.
Journaling
The practice of psychologically manipulating someone into questioning their own sanity, memory, or powers of reasoning.
Gaslighting
Ask a group member if they've used this and have them give an example.