Name an example of a mindfulness practice.
What is: gratitude journal, guided meditation, being in the present moment, mindful eating, focusing on your breath, listening to music, exercise, etc.
A condition that affects a person's thinking, feelings, behaviors or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others.
Mental Illness/Mental Health Disorder (Co-Occurring, Comorbid Diagnoses, etc. will be accepted)
The acronym for HALT in AA stands for ______.
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
True or false: A person is more likely to struggle with Depression if their great-grandfather an alcoholic and was clinically depressed.
True, one is more likely to develop an addiction or a mental health condition or Co-Occurring Disorders if relatives have been diagnosed with these conditions in the past.
What is addiction?
Being dependent on something.
Name a song about recovery that inspires you and talk about how it is inspirational.
What is: [insert song and explanation]
True or False: No thought or feeling is totally wrong in itself, it is what we do with it that really counts.
What is true?
True or False: 13% of people who are dependent upon alcohol, and 24% of people who are dependent drugs also have at least one mental illness? If false, why do you believe it to be false?
False, the percentages are much higher 37% for alcohol and 53% for drugs.
(And those percentages are cases that both were reported)
A Behavior that a person repeatedly carries out that causes emotional, social, or other problems in daily life and in overall wellness.
Self-Sabotage
Which of the following is not a symptom of depression: diminished interest in activities, changes in sleep pattern, unusual increase in energy level, increase/decrease in appetite.
Unusual increase in energy level
What does OTC stand for?
Over the counter
Name one famous person who overcame an addiction.
Who is: Elton John, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Downey Jr., Lindsay Lohan, Kelly Osbourne, Bradley Cooper, Steven Tyler, Martin Sheen, Drew Barrymore, Demi Lovato, Ben Affleck, Jamie Lee Curtis, Eric Clapton, Matthew Perry, Nicole Richie
A Coping Skill serves the purpose of ______.
Some variation of the following:
Tools and techniques to help handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and establish and/or maintain a sense of internal order. Also, manage cravings/using thoughts, physically or mentally grounding.
True or False: Emotions are uncomfortable so they should be avoided whenever possible to keep inner peace and avoid conflict.
False, duh.
Elaborate, what is something our emotions do for us?
Making a quick decision, big or small, based on emotions and instant gratification.
What is Impulsivity
Limitations/expectations/requests you make for yourself and others to protect your sobriety, mental health, and overall wellness.
Boundaries
True or False?
It is okay to share a prescription drug with someone as long as they are the same height and weight as you.
False
In the movie A Star is Born, the male lead played by Bradley Cooper died from....
What is Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and/or Depression?
Name a common stressor one experiences in early recovery and list three positive way to cope with that stressor.
What is: .....
Any stressor, mindfulness, attend a meeting, talk to counselor, etc.
Name 5 long term effects of alcohol/substance abuse on a person's mental and/or physical health.
Mental: Neurological problems, dementia, psychosis, diminished self-esteem, guilt and shame that negatively impacts functioning, paranoia, depression, anxiety, aggression, hallucinations
Physical: stroke, loss of nerve feeling, high blood pressure, hear attack or other cardiovascular problems, cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast, liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal problems, premature death.
Source: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/health-consequences-drug-misuse/mental-health-effects
A temporary feeling of euphoria toward your recovery process.
What is: Pink Cloud Syndrome
These mostly occur at an unconscious or unintended level, and people are generally unaware they are using them across a variety of settings.
Defense Mechanisms
What is a depressant?
Something that reduces the heart rate.
This writer, the author of "The Tell-Tale Heart," died of an addiction to this substance.
What is alcohol?
Name three skills you have learned to overcome cravings and triggers.
What is: call a sponsor/support, play the tape through, go to a meeting, leave the situation, distraction, read the literature, use your relapse prevention plan, be with support, engage in a hobby, etc.
A bag with pictures of loved ones, a box set up in your home with positive childhood memories, a list of activities on your phone, names and phone numbers of supportive people, engaging in hobbies are all examples of...
Coping Strategies, Mental Health Crisis Kit, Healthy Distractions
Intellectual, Social, Physical, Occupational and Emotional are examples of areas of...
Wellness
Excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner/family member/friend.
What is Codependency?
This is something that increases your heart rate, what is it called?
Stimulant
Name a famous historical figure who struggled with addiction.
Who is: Sylvia Plath, Benjamin Franklin, Sigmund Freud, Vincent Van Gogh, Charles Dickens, Thomas Edison, Alexander the Great
Identify at least 3 of the 5 components of a relapse prevention plan. (If not all five are named, other team can complete the list for points)
What is:
1) identifying internal triggers, external triggers
2) support, meetings to attend
3) learning and using coping skills
4) how to process emotions/emotionally regulate
5) plan for continued treatment, goals for recovery
Definition: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person/trait/characteristic.
What is Stigma?
May also accept shame if justifiable.
PAWS stands for _____;four symptoms are ______; and it can last for ________.
What is: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome; mood swings, anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep, tiredness, variable energy, low enthusiasm, variable concentration; 2 years.
What type of unhelpful thought pattern/cognitive distortion is the following statement:
We ignore past or future consequences and think only about what we want right now, despite the punishment that could occur down the road.
Criminal Thinking-Specifically; Lack of time perspective, may also accept phrases such as "instant gratification", impulsive/risky behaviors.
what is the mind alerting chemical found in marijuana?
THC
Name three famous people that died as a direct result of their substance use.
Who is: Sid Vicious, River Phoenix, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, Pete Farndon, Cory Monteith, Chris Farley, John Belushi, Layne Staley, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, Lenny Bruce, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hillel Slovak, Judy Garland, Whitney Houston, Scott Weiland, Michael Jackson, Dee Dee Ramone, Truman Capote, Prince
In an emotional relapse, you are not thinking about using. But your emotions and behaviors are setting you up for a possible relapse in the future.
The signs of emotional relapse are: (list at least 3)
What is: anxiety, intolerance/irritability, anger, defensiveness, mood swings, isolation, not asking for help, not going to meetings, poor eating habits, poor sleep habits, any other addictive or risky behavior.
Evidence shows that practicing this activity (that usually takes practice) regularly improves well-being, mental health, and physical health.
What is Mindfulness?
Biological Factors, Co-occurring Disorders, Lack of Skill or therapy to practice, Reinforcement of Dysregulated Behaviors in the past, & Moodiness, are all factors of why it it is very difficult to control/regulate....what?
What is Emotions?
An adverse event that prompts a physiological (physical-in the body) and/or psychological (mental-in the mind) response in people
Long term reactions include unpredictable and difficult to regulate emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, hypervigilance, and some physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and increased risk of heart disease (among others).
Trauma/Traumatic Event (PTSD will also be accepted.)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
What should you do before making a decision when you're having a craving?
Stop & think.
Name a memoir (book about someone's personal journey) about recovery.
“STRAY,” by Stephanie Danler
“STRUNG OUT: ONE LAST HIT AND OTHER LIES THAT NEARLY KILLED ME,” by Erin Khar
“IN PAIN: A BIOETHICIST’S PERSONAL STRUGGLE WITH OPIOIDS,” by Travis Riede
“WE ARE THE LUCKIEST: THE SURPRISING MAGIC OF A SOBER LIFE,” by Laura McKowen
“BLOSSOMS AND BONES: DRAWING A LIFE BACK TOGETHER,” by Kim Krans
"Codependent No More: How To Stop Controlling Others & Start Caring For Yourself" By Melodie Beattie
"Letting Go Of The Thief: A Ninety Day Journey Inside The Thoughts Of An Alcoholic" By Pamela D. Pesta