The Brain and the Mind
What brain chemical (neurotransmitter) is linked to pleasure and plays a big role in addiction.
What is dopamine?
A.A.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
What is one healthy way to cope with a craving?
What is talk about it with a friend / sober support person (sponsor) / exercise / practice mindfulness.
Name a common emotional trigger for relapse.
What is Stress, Fear, Anxiety, Loneliness, Frustration, etc?
How does setting boundaries help in recovery?
What is prevents enabling / prioritizes self (needs) / shows self-respect / supports independence / protects mental health.
This “Friends” actor was open about his addiction struggles and used his story to help others before his passing in 2023.
Who is Matthew Perry (Chandler) — he used his recovery journey to advocate for addiction treatment.
This term describes the brain’s ability to change and adapt, which plays a role in both addiction and recovery.
What is neuroplasticity?
H.A.L.T.
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonley, and Tired?
What is a common tool used to help maintain sobriety through self-reflection?
What is Journaling?
If someone struggles with both addiction and mental health issues, what is this called?
What is dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders?
How does mindfulness help in addiction recovery?
What is reducing stress and increasing self-awareness
This young singer, known for hits like Rehab, died in 2011 at age 27.
Who is Amy Winehouse — her story reminds us how untreated addiction can turn deadly
What part of the brain is most affected by addiction — controlling pleasure, motivation, and decision-making?
What is the prefrontal cortex (involved in decision-making and impulse control), the basal ganglia (involved in reward and habit formation).
P.A.W.S.
What is Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Which practice is commonly used to reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical well-being during the recovery journey?
What is mindfulness / breathing exercises / guided meditation?
What things are considered triggers in addiction recovery?
What are People, Places, Things, Emotions, and/or Situations that provoke cravings for the addictive substance?
This recovery skill is helpful for expressing anger in a healthy way.
What is using assertive communication, (which includes setting clear, healthy boundaries to avoid situations that trigger intense anger).
Will accept journaling, exercise, and/or mindfulness.
This rapper died in 2019 after an accidental overdose at 21.
Juice WRLD — his lyrics spoke about mental health and addiction; his death highlights the risks of self-medicating
In this way of thinking, many of our thoughts become centered around whether or not we're feeling good. As the addiction cycle continues, our obsession with feeling good takes over and we turn inward and don't think about the needs or the consequences to others.
What is self-centeredness / self-obsession / self-consumed.
F.E.A.R.
What is False Evidence Appearing Real / Face Everything And Recover
This type of goal helps people stay focused in recovery by being clear, realistic, and achievable.”
“What is a SMART goal?
A critical aspect of the recovery process?
What is taking personal responsibility for choices, actions, behaviours without blaming others or making excuses
Will accept building positive coping strategies.
This practice involves treating yourself with kindness instead of harsh self-judgment.
What is self-compassion?
This actor known for his role in "Iron Man" has been open about his struggles with addiction and recovery.
Who is Robert Downey Jr.?
In this way of thinking, we refuse to accept the truth about our addiction. Oddly enough, we can often see in others what we cant see in ourselves.
What is Denial?
H.O.W.
What is Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and Willingness.
What is the purpose of creating a relapse prevention plan?
What is to identify high risk situations, triggers, warning signs, and coping strategies to avoid relapse?
Will accept planning ahead for difficult situations
The difference between sobriety and recovery?
What is sobriety is just removing the substance (abstinence), while recovery includes emotional and personal growth.
Forgiving yourself can help reduce this common response that keeps people stuck in their addictive behaviours.
What is shame?
This Purple Rain icon from Minnesota died of a fentanyl overdose in 2016.
Who is Prince?