Sober Supports
While at Princeton House, it is often suggested/recommended that you have one of these. But don't be alarmed, it could include ANYONE who you consider part of your support network!
What is, a "Family Meeting".
This term, often shortened to PAWs, describes long-term symptoms that we may experience while our body and brain rewire themselves.
What are, Post-Acute Withdrawal symptoms?
During this stage, people have usually maintained sobriety for a significant amount of time, are attending support group meetings, and have a regular structured schedule.
What is, the "Maintenance" stage.
This means that a person is diagnosed with both a mental health and substance use disorder.
What is, "Dual Diagnosis" (or Co-occurring)?
This term can often be described as initial symptoms that you experience when quitting a substance cold turkey.
What is, withdrawals?
These specific events offer social support and sometimes basic education by fellow peers experiencing the same symptoms/stressors. They are completely voluntary and you don't have to "sign up" ahead of time.
What is, a support group meeting. (ex: AA/NA/DBSA/MA/CA...etc!)
Often times in our substance use we lose sight of these, which may change the way we act/think/behave. We tend to rediscover these once we become sober.
What are our Values/Morals.
During this stage, people often see no issue with their use. Others may bring it to their attention, but they will brush it off.
What is, "Precontemplation".
Often times, this diagnosis may include symptoms of loss of interest, low motivation, excessive fatigue...etc.
What is, depression?
Often times we experience this regarding our past use, but remember this is JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE.
What is guilt/shame?
These people make up the immediate "treatment team" at Princeton House.
Who are your primary therapist, your attending MD/APN, the nurse, and YOU!
It is often recommended to create one of these with your therapist. It offers people, places, and activities to assist you when you need help preventing a relapse.
During this stage, people will begin doing and collecting research/ideas for possible action steps.
What is, "preparation".
When we had one of these two disorders, we often experience both "highs and lows" otherwise identified as mood swings.
What is Bipolar 1 or 2 disorder.
Often times we become distant to our partners/families/friends resulting in relationship strain. This may be helpful for repairing relationships.
What is family/couples therapy?
This is often where mutual sober/people in recovery live together to provide the upmost support and protection in early recovery.
What is a sober living home? (Example: Oxford or Crawford House)
Often times in Relapse Prevention, we are asked to do this, which means looking/projecting ahead to what the outcome of our use may be, and what the following consequences to follow are.
What is, "Playing Our Tape Out".
During this stage, the person has likely experienced the "light bulb" go off in their head. They have likely thought to themselves "hmmm, Bobby might be right about my drinking..."
What is, "Contemplation"?
Constant worry is sometimes mistaken for this common mental health disorder.
What is, generalized anxiety disorder?
Often times we are expected/encouraged to change the following 3 categories in order to best avoid triggers ongoing.
What are, "people, places and things"?