Healthy Living
The practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment, often used to manage anxiety or cravings.
What is mindfulness?
This organization, founded in 1935, is known for pioneering the 12-Step Program.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
A healthy distraction, such as reading a book or listening to music, used to ride out a craving.
What is a healthy distraction?
This is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, responsible for the "high."
What is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)?
This is the act of not using any addictive substances.
What is abstinence?
A boundary you must maintain with someone to protect your sobriety, especially if they are still actively using.
What is a safety or distance boundary?
The term for a person in recovery who offers guidance, support, and friendship to a newcomer.
What is a sponsor?
The use of your senses (touch, sight, sound, smell, taste) to pull yourself out of an emotional spiral or flash of craving.
What are grounding techniques?
Cannabis use can impair concentration, judgment, and this cognitive function essential for school and work.
What is memory (or memory loss)?
In recovery, these are people, places, or feelings that make a person want to use substances again.
What are triggers?
The term for an activity or hobby that brings you joy and fulfillment, helping to fill the void left by substance use.
What is a Vigorously Absorbing/Vital Interest?
A non-12-Step program that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other science-based tools for recovery.
What is SMART Recovery?
Instead of responding immediately to an urge or trigger, a person should create this time to think and plan.
What is a pause or a buffer?
The risk of developing an addiction to marijuana is highest when use begins during this developmental stage.
What is adolescence or teen years?
A term for someone who unintentionally enables an addict to continue their substance abuse, often by denying the problem.
What is a codependent (or enabler)?
A chemical released by the brain that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward, which addiction overstimulates
What is dopamine?
A group for the family and friends of people struggling with addiction, named after the famous AA slogan.
What is Al-Anon?
The technique of verbally challenging negative or self-defeating thoughts, often used in CBT.
What is thought challenging/cognitive restructuring?
This condition, commonly called "weed-induced paranoia," is the most common psychiatric adverse side effect of marijuana use.
What is anxiety or a panic attack?
In this type of peer support group, people "share their experience, strength, and hope" to solve their common problem.
What is a 12-step program (or Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous)?
An essential component of recovery that helps regulate mood, improve sleep, and manage stress in a healthy way.
What is exercise (or physical activity)?
The concept in group meetings that ensures members feel safe to share their experiences without fear of outside exposure.
What is anonymity or confidentiality?
A skill often taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that helps you accept difficult feelings without trying to change them
What is distress tolerance?
Use of marijuana at an early age can increase the risk of developing this serious psychotic disorder in those with a genetic predisposition.
What is schizophrenia?
Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone used alongside counseling to treat opioid use disorder are part of this treatment approach (acronym).
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?