Recovery Tools
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
What is a trigger?
Something that causes an urge or craving to use
What brain chemical is linked to pleasure and reward?
Dopamine
What does “keep it simple” mean in recovery?
Don’t overthink it—focus on basics and small steps
What is the primary purpose of NA?
To carry the message to the addict who still suffers
Name one reason to go to a recovery meeting.
Support, connection, accountability, coping tools
Name a common emotional trigger.
Stress, anger, anxiety, sadness, shame
True or False: Your brain can heal in recovery.
True
“Let go and let ___.”
God (or Higher Power)
What does the NA literature say is the therapeutic value of one addict helping another?
It’s without parallel
What is a sponsor and why do people have one?
Someone who guides you in recovery and offers support/accountability
Describe the “craving cycle” and how interrupting it can prevent relapse.
Trigger → thought → craving → rationalization → use; interrupting it stops the progression to relapse
What is PAWS short for?
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
What does “first things first” mean in early recovery?
Prioritize sobriety before other life stressors or relationships
Why is anonymity considered the spiritual foundation of all NA traditions?
It reminds members to place principles before personalities and protect the fellowship
Explain the difference between a coping skill and a defense mechanism.
Coping skills are healthy tools used consciously, while defense mechanisms are often unconscious and can be avoidant or unhealthy
How can mindfulness be used to manage cravings?
By noticing the craving without judgment, riding it out, and choosing a skillful response
What part of the brain is responsible for impulse control and is often impacted by substance use?
Prefrontal cortex
What is meant by “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over…” in recovery?
Continuing old behaviors but expecting different results
What is the Sixth Tradition and why does it matter?
“An NA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise…” It protects NA from outside influences
How can talking with someone who uses Motivational Interviewing (MI) help you in recovery?
It helps you feel heard, explore your own reasons for change, and build confidence in your ability to stay sober
Give an example of a time-delayed craving and how to cope with it.
Example: driving past a liquor store after work. Cope by rerouting, calling a support, or using grounding tools
How does chronic substance use change the brain’s reward system?
It floods dopamine, rewires reward pathways, and reduces natural pleasure responses
How can the slogan “take what you like and leave the rest” help in group settings?
How can the slogan “take what you like and leave the rest” help in group settings?
What does “the steps are written in order for a reason” mean in practice?
Each step builds on the one before it, and working them out of order can undermine spiritual growth and recovery progress