Recovery Basics
What is the first step in the 12 Steps of AA/NA?
Admitting we are powerless over our addiction and that our lives have become unmanageable.
DAILY DOUBLE
What does "urge surfing" mean in recovery?
Riding out a craving without acting on it until it passes.
Within how many hours after quitting smoking does carbon monoxide in the blood drop to normal levels?
➡️ Answer: 12 hours
What does PTSD stand for?
➡️ Answer: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Which daily practice has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and support long-term recovery in individuals overcoming substance use disorders?
Answer: Mindfulness meditation (or mindfulness-based practices) has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and support long-term recovery in individuals overcoming substance use disorders.
What does the acronym HALT stand for, and why is it important in recovery?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired — warning signs for potential relapse.
What is the active chemical in marijuana that causes intoxication?
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Delta 9, Delta 8 Delta 11 etc
After quitting alcohol, how long does it typically take for the liver to begin repairing itself from mild fatty liver damage?
➡️ Answer: About 2 to 6 weeks
Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depression?
➡️ Answer: Serotonin
What system in the body is strengthened by regular exercise and adequate sleep?
➡️ Answer: The immune system
In the 12-Step model, what step involves making amends to people we’ve harmed?
Step 9
This Southeast Asian plant contains compounds that can act as stimulants at low doses and sedatives at high doses, and has been associated with dependence and liver toxicity.
What is kratom?
After quitting alcohol, how long does it typically take for blood pressure and heart rate to begin returning to normal levels?
➡️ Answer: Within about 1 to 2 weeks
What is the term for an irrational, intense fear of a specific object or situation?
➡️ Answer: Phobia
What does the phrase “people, places, and things” refer to in recovery?
Answer: Avoiding people, places, and situations connected to past substance use.
What’s the difference between abstinence and recovery?
Abstinence means not using substances; recovery involves personal growth, healing, and lifestyle change.
Studies have shown that approximately this percentage of U.S. paper currency contains traces of cocaine.
What is 90%?
After one year of sobriety, what percentage can the risk of alcohol-related heart disease decrease by?
➡️ Answer: Up to 50% (according to studies on cardiovascular recovery following sustained abstinence)
What is the most common treatment type for both anxiety and depression?
➡️ Answer: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What is the recommended daily amount of water intake for the average adult, according to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences?
➡️ Answer: About 3.7 liters (125 ounces) for men and 2.7 liters (91 ounces) for women per day
Who was accredited with founding AA?
Bill. W
What is the term for the process in which the body adapts to a drug, requiring more of it to achieve the same effect?
Tolerance
According to research, how many years after quitting smoking does the risk of coronary heart disease become roughly the same as that of a non-smoker?
➡️ Answer: 15 years
What part of the brain controls emotional regulation and decision-making, often affected by addiction?
➡️ Answer: The prefrontal cortex
Daily Double
According to research, how long does it take on average to form a new habit or routine that becomes automatic?
➡️ Answer: About 66 days (based on a University College London study)