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
Someone who helps guide a newcomer through the processes of NA or AA
A Sponsor
The basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous
The Big Book
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 person battled addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs for decades, starting at a young age. His struggles became public during his time on the hit show Friends, though he often tried to conceal the extent of his issues.
Matthew Perry
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
A powerful desire to use substances
Cravings
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
Serenity Prayer
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances
Changing the Channel (Coping Skill)
For Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon) it was about a long hike along the Pacific Crest Trail to find in herself what her mother would have wanted for her, a mother she lost as a teenager, leading to her substance problems. It's powerful and triumphant.
Wild
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
Symptoms you experience several weeks or months after you have finished detoxing that are related to the body healing from substance use
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
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
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.
Elton John
Identifying and writing down triggers, coping skills, people, and activities that can help prevent a relapse
Relapse Prevention Plan
A common phrase repeated in AA/NA as an important part of recovery. It is not just a common encouragement, it holds great meaning representing the gratitude an individual feels about their sobriety, and the importance of it presently.
"One Day at a Time"
"We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
Therapy
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
Convincing yourself that it's okay or that you have to use substances/engage in addictive behaviors
Relapse Justification
Using another activity in order to replace or substitute the feelings/results you used to get from using substances
Cross Addiction
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
NA Tradition 3
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
You’ve seen her on TV, in movies, on the cover of her own magazine. She’s enlightened, educated, and empowered millions during her rule as “Queen of Daytime Television.” And not to mention, she gave a brand-new car to her entire studio audience! It may come as a bit of a shock, then, that such a monumental media figure actually struggled with addiction herself – and to a particularly powerful and stigmatized drug no less.
Oprah Winfrey