AA/NA & Recovery Program Facts
What is the purpose of Step Four in the 12 Steps, and why is it often challenging?
Step Four involves a fearless moral inventory. It's difficult due to shame, fear, and self-honesty, but encourages growth, acceptance, and taking action for change.
What common pattern is found in celebrity overdoses like Mac Miller or Whitney Houston?
Untreated co-occurring disorders, access to substances, and stigma around seeking help.
What ancient civilizations used alcohol in religious rituals?
Sumerians (Mesopotamia) and Egyptians used beer and wine ceremonially and socially.
Sumerians around 4000 BCE, used beer in religious ceremonies and offerings. The Hymn to Ninkasi, a song dedicated to the goddess of beer, also served as a brewing recipe
Ancient Egypt: Beer was integral to Egyptian religious practices. It was associated with the goddess Hathor and used in temple offerings and funerary rites
What is a core belief in CBT and how might it relate to addiction?
A core belief is a deeply held, fundamental perception that shapes how individuals view themselves, others, and the world. These beliefs act like a lens through which every situation and life experience is interpreted. Core beliefs often underlie automatic thoughts and can significantly influence emotions and behaviors
Deep, often negative beliefs like “I’m unworthy” can lead to substance use to escape emotional pain.
Define "powerlessness" in Step One and explain how it differs from helplessness.
Powerlessness means losing power over outcomes of specific circumstances AKA acknowledging a lack of control over substances; helplessness implies complete inability to take action due to constraints.
What Camp Rock actress struggled with Drug Addiction and Drinking but is now sober?
Demi Lovato
These 19th-century conflicts between China and Britain over the opium trade led to widespread addiction in China, the cession of Hong Kong to Britain, and the establishment of unequal treaties that opened Chinese ports to foreign control, significantly shaping the modern global drug trade.
What is the Opium Wars
Which DBT skill helps prevent impulsive behavior during emotional distress?
The STOP skill: Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully.
This skill helps individuals create a moment of pause between their emotional reaction and their actions, allowing for more thoughtful and deliberate responses
What is the spiritual awakening in Step Twelve meant to represent?
A personal transformation and understanding of self, increased self-awareness and living a lifestyle that supports ongoing recovery and service to others, and perhaps accepting a higher power
A former NFL player, Herren struggled with addiction to heroin and other substances. He has been sober since 2008 and now runs a foundation to support addiction recovery
Chris Herren
What was methamphetamine originally used for during World War II?
It was used to promote wakefulness and endurance in soldiers.
How can identifying “thinking traps” like all-or-nothing thinking help prevent relapse?
Thinking traps are Cognitive Distortions; Identifying and challenging irrational thoughts that lead to hopelessness or impulsive behavior can help you begin to reframe and reflect, which can prevent potential relapse
What are character defects, and how are they addressed in Steps Six and Seven?
Negative personality traits we wish and are willing to change to support sobriety; Steps 6 and 7 involve readiness and humility to change with help from a Higher Power.
What professional Chef took his own life after struggling with mental health and substance use disorder throughout his life?
Anthony Bourdain
How did the emergence of crack cocaine impact U.S. urban policy in the 1980s?
It led to punitive drug laws, mass incarceration, and deepened racial disparities.
What is distress tolerance, and why is it critical in early recovery?
Skills that help individuals survive emotional crises without resorting to self-destructive behavior, promote emotional regulation, acceptance without judgment, and build resilience to manage cravings and triggers
DBT Skills such as
Radical acceptance is about embracing the present moment and recognizing that some aspects of life are beyond our control. It involves letting go of the struggle against reality, which often leads to increased suffering. Instead of fighting against what is, radical acceptance encourages individuals to acknowledge their circumstances and feelings without judgment or resistance.
How does anonymity in AA/NA foster humility and group unity?
Prevents ego-driven leadership, promotes equality, encourages safety for shared vulnerability, and emphasizes the focus on shared recovery
This legendary singer, known for hits like "I Will Always Love You," faced a long battle with drug addiction and tragically passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
Whitney Houston
Why was fentanyl created, and how has it contributed to overdose deaths today?
It was designed for severe pain relief; its high potency makes accidental overdose common.
What CBT technique helps replace unhelpful beliefs like “I can’t cope sober”?
Cognitive restructuring which identifies and challenges distorted thinking patterns.
Cognitive restructuring is a therapeutic technique rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It involves identifying and challenging distorted or irrational thoughts that contribute to negative emotions and replacing them with balanced, constructive alternatives.
Cred: Uncovercounseling.com
What are some of the spiritual principles in AA / Recovery?
They support growth, challenge denial, and build trust in the recovery process.
Each step corresponds to a specific principle that encourages personal development and spiritual awakening. Here are the key spiritual principles associated with each step:
Honesty: Acknowledging the truth about oneself and one's situation is essential for recovery.
Hope: Believing in the possibility of change and improvement in life circumstances.
Faith: Trusting in a higher power and the process of recovery.
Courage: Facing fears and taking necessary actions to improve one's life.
Integrity: Being truthful and consistent in actions and beliefs.
Willingness: Being open to change and ready to take action towards recovery.
Humility: Recognizing one's limitations and the need for help from others and a higher power.
Love: Cultivating compassion and concern for oneself and others.
Brotherly Love: Fostering a sense of community and support among members.
Self-Discipline: Exercising control over one's actions and decisions.
Service: Helping others in their recovery journey as a way to reinforce one's own sobriety.
Acceptance: Embracing the reality of one's situation and the need for change.
This Olympic swimmer, who holds the record for the most gold medals, has openly discussed his battles with alcohol and depression
Michael Phelps
What indigenous group traditionally used coca leaves to combat altitude sickness?
Andean Cultures in South America, including the Inca and Aymara civilizations, used Coca Leaves to combat Altitude Sickness.
Coca leaves contain alkaloids that help alleviate symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue associated with high altitudes
How does behavioral activation support recovery from depression and substance use?
It encourages engagement in meaningful, sober activities to improve mood and structure.
Behavioral activation focuses on direct behavioral change rather than just changing thought patterns; this practice also reduces avoidant behaviors
What role does a sponsor play in helping members work the 12 Steps effectively?
A sponsor offers guidance, accountability, and experience-based insight throughout the steps.
The A Star is Born actor has openly discussed his battle with alcohol and drug addiction. He has been sober since 2004 and credits his sobriety for his successful career
Bradley Cooper
This historical process, driven by European powers from the 16th to the 19th centuries, facilitated the global spread of addictive substances like tobacco, opium, and alcohol, profoundly shaping modern drug trade and consumption patterns.
Colonialism contributed to the global spread of addictive substances
Colonizers exported tobacco, alcohol, and opium for trade and control, disregarding harm or addictive properties
What does the “chain analysis” tool help uncover in relapse prevention?
The sequence of events, thoughts, and feelings that lead to a high-risk behavior.
The chain analysis tool is a crucial component in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), particularly for relapse prevention. It helps uncover the sequence of events, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that lead to problematic actions, such as substance use or self-harm
This tool is particularly useful for identifying patterns and creating personalized intervention plans.
Why is service emphasized in Step Twelve and the AA/NA traditions?
Service reinforces purpose, connection, and helps individuals stay sober through helping others.
Although primarily known as a pop star, she also acted in films and TV shows like Hannah Montana. She has spoken about her commitment to sobriety and the positive impact it has had on her life
Miley Cyrus
Anti-cannabis sentiment in early 20th-century America was driven by racial prejudice against Mexican immigrants and African Americans, sensationalist media campaigns depicting cannabis as dangerous, and governmental figures advocating for strict drug laws. These factors led to the passage of the what Act?
These factors led to the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, criminalizing cannabis in the United States.
How does radical acceptance help individuals with unresolved trauma in recovery?
It reduces suffering by accepting reality without approval—crucial when trauma cannot be undone.