History of AA
Who are the founder of AA?
Bill W and Dr. Bob
Name three healthy coping skills for PAWS?
Exercise, Journaling, Meetings, Meditation, Sleep hygiene, therapy, ETC.
“I relapsed once. I’ll never get this.”
All-or-Nothing Thinking
What is a trigger?
A person, place, emotion, or situation that increases cravings
What part of the brain is responsible for survival instincts and emotional reactions?
Amygdala
What year was AA founded?
What does PAWs stand for?
Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
“They didn’t text me back. They must be mad at me.”
Mind Reading
What brain chemical is heavily involved in addiction?
Dopamine
Can the brain heal in Recovery?
Yes the brain can heal in recovery
Who wrote the Doctors opinion?
Doctor Silkworth
How long can PAWs last?
18 months - 2 years
“I made a mistake in group. Everyone thinks I’m stupid.”
Personalization
What happens to dopamine levels with repeated substance use?
The brain produces less naturally
What strengthens the prefrontal cortex in recovery? (Name One)
Mindfulness, therapy, accountability, delayed gratification
What pages are considered the basic text of AA?
The Doctors Opinion and the first 164 pages.
What part of the brain is still rebuilding during PAWS that affects decision-making?
Prefrontal cortex
“If I feel anxious, something bad is about to happen.”
Catastrophizing
What is emotional dysregulation?
Difficulty managing emotional responses
Why is addiction compared to diseases like diabetes or hypertension?
It requires ongoing management and has relapse risk
What is the original title of the Chapter "Acceptance was the Answer" (Pgs 417) in the 3rd edition of the Big Book.
Doctor Addict Alcoholic
What makes PAWS different from acute withdrawal?
It’s psychological/emotional vs physical detox symptoms
“I’ve always been this way. I’ll never change.”
Overgeneralization
What is “euphoric recall”?
Remembering only the positive effects of use
Why can cravings return months or even years after someone stops using?
Brain pathways and learned associations remain