Alcohol
What is the first step in recovery, according to the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?
What is admitting that you have a problem (powerlessness over alcohol)?
What is something that can remind you of using or make you want to use again?
What is a trigger?
Doing this regularly helps your body heal from substance use and keeps your mind sharp.
What is getting enough sleep or rest?
Having this kind of person in your life can help you stay accountable and supported.
What is a sponsor, mentor, or supportive friend/family member?
What is one common support group for people recovering from alcohol or drugs?
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?
This common withdrawal symptom can make it difficult to focus or remember things during early sobriety.
What is “brain fog” (or cognitive difficulty)?
What’s one healthy way to manage a craving when it shows up?
What is using a coping skill (like deep breathing, calling support, distraction, or mindfulness)?
This practice helps you focus on the present moment and notice your thoughts without judgment.
What is mindfulness?
What does setting a healthy boundary mean in recovery?
What is protecting your peace and sobriety by communicating your limits respectfully?
What’s one benefit of having structure or routine in recovery?
What is reducing stress, preventing boredom, or avoiding triggers?
Name one of the four major “feel-good” chemicals in the brain that naturally increase with healthy habits like exercise or laughter.
What is dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, or endorphins?
This type of trigger comes from your thoughts or emotions rather than your surroundings.
What is an internal trigger?
What are two examples of healthy coping skills that can replace using substances?
What are exercising, journaling, listening to music, talking to a friend, etc.?
This type of relationship pattern can involve trying to fix, rescue, or control others.
What is codependency?
Name two of the five stages of change in the recovery process.
What is precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, or maintenance?
This is the term for the emotional, psychological, and social symptoms that can continue after physical detox has ended.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
Name the three steps in the “urge surfing” technique used to ride out cravings without giving in.
What is notice the urge, breathe through it, and let it pass?
Name three of the four main areas of self-care.
What are physical, emotional, social, and spiritual self-care?
What’s one red flag that a relationship may be unhealthy or unsafe for someone in early recovery?
What is being around people who use or pressure you to use?
This type of recovery support involves connecting with others who share similar goals, challenges, and encouragement.
What is peer support (or a recovery community)?
This stage of change is when a person actively works on maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse, often by identifying triggers and building a new lifestyle.
What is the Maintenance Stage of Change?
This acronym is used to remind people of high-risk situations that make relapse more likely.
What is HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)?
This psychological strategy (also known as a type of therapy) involves changing negative thought patterns that lead to unhealthy behaviors.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
This skill involves listening fully, expressing your needs clearly, and respecting others’ feelings at the same time.
What is assertive communication?
This concept describes finding meaning, purpose, or personal growth as a result of overcoming addiction or trauma.
What is post-traumatic growth (or personal transformation in recovery)?