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 *Share about 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
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
A movie about a hard-drinking New York journalist who takes her reputation as the life and soul of the party too far when she knocks over her sister's wedding cake and crashes the bridal limousine. When a court orders her into rehab for a month, she initially refuses, but eventually she begins to take her substance abuse seriously. What movie is this?
28 Days
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
Distractions / "Changing the Channel" *What are things you do to Change the Channel?
This metallic man has been in recovery since 2003. He was introduced to drugs by his famous father and spent time in jail. He saw a resurgence in his popularity since entering recovery and staring in a series of hit movies. What celebrity is this?
Robert Downey Jr.
Refusing to admit the truth about addiction and its consequences to ourselves.
Denial
DOUBLE POINTS: 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) *What PAWS symptoms have you experienced?
DOUBLE POINTS: Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others is what Step?
Step 9
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 *Share one thing you do for self-care
DOUBLE POINTS: 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 *Raise your hand if you have a 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" is a statement in this Step
Step 4
DOUBLE POINTS: Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns (hint: you all have this).
Therapy / Therapist
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. What movie is this?
Walk the Line
DOUBLE POINTS: Convincing yourself that it's okay or that you have to use substances/engage in addictive behaviors is called what? (hint: you might justify this)
Relapse Justification
Using another activity in order to replace or substitute the feelings/results you used to get from using substances
Cross Addiction *Has anyone experienced this? Explain.
TRIPLE POINTS: The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. (hint: What NA Tradition does this refer to?)
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 *What is one thing you are grateful for today?
TRIPLE POINTS: This famous actor is known for his character named after a weapon. He served jail time and became a boxing champion in San Quentin, after which he completed a 12-step program and has been sober for over 4 decades. He was first discovered as an actor while attending an AA meeting! Now he is a successful restaurateur and appeared as the Racoon in the Masked Singer show.
Danny Trejo