The Brain & Body
This neurotransmitter, often called the "feel-good" chemical, is heavily involved in the brain's reward system and is hijacked during active addiction.
What is dopamine?
Discussion: How long does it take for the brain to naturally start producing joy again in early recovery?
H.A.L.T. is a popular acronym in recovery reminding us to pause and check in with ourselves when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or this.
What is Tired?
Discussion: Which of the four H.A.L.T. states is your biggest personal trigger, and how do you handle it?
Fact or Myth: A relapse means that treatment has failed and you are back at square one.
What is a myth?
Discussion: Why is it dangerous to view relapse as a total failure rather than a learning opportunity or a bump in the road?
This Iron Man and Avengers actor has been highly open about his journey through addiction, prison, and ultimately his decades of successful sobriety.
Who is Robert Downey Jr.?
In the famous nursery rhyme, this incredibly fragile, clumsy egg-man had a great fall and could not be put back together by all the king's horses and men.
Who is Humpty Dumpty?
This physiological process happens when the body becomes accustomed to a substance and requires more and more of it to achieve the same effect.
What is tolerance?
Discussion: How does tolerance make the cycle of addiction so difficult to break on sheer willpower alone?
This practice involves focusing your awareness on the present moment and acknowledging your feelings without judgment.
What is mindfulness (or meditation)?
Discussion: Does mindfulness have to mean sitting still in silence, or can it look different for everyone?
This term describes a brief slip or return to use that is quickly corrected, rather than a full return to active addiction.
What is a lapse?
Discussion: What is the most important thing a person can do in the 24 hours immediately following a lapse?
This Freaky Friday and Halloween star has been sober for over two decades and frequently calls her sobriety her "greatest accomplishment."
Who is Jamie Lee Curtis?
It is the only acceptable response when someone shouts the question, "Who ya gonna call?!"
Who are the Ghostbusters?
This term describes the brain's incredible ability to heal, rewire itself, and form new neural connections during recovery.
What is neuroplasticity?
Discussion: Why is it hopeful to know that our brains can physically change and heal?
This common behavioral therapy, abbreviated as CBT, helps people identify and change negative thought patterns.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Discussion: Can anyone share an example of a "negative thought loop" they’ve learned to break?
This psychological phenomenon happens when you romanticize past substance use, remembering only the good times and "forgetting" the consequences.
What is euphoric recall (or romanticizing)?
Discussion: What strategy can you use to "play the tape all the way through" when euphoric recall hits?
This actor, who played the beloved Chandler Bing on Friends, turned his own struggles into a lifelong mission to help others by opening a sober living facility before his passing.
Who is Matthew Perry?
According to a scientifically unproven, globally recognized "rule," you have exactly this much time to safely pick up and eat a piece of food dropped on the floor.
What is the 5-second rule?
Often abbreviated as PAWS, this syndrome refers to symptoms like mood swings, brain fog, and sleep issues that can last for months after acute withdrawal ends.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Discussion: How can knowing about PAWS prevent someone from feeling like recovery "isn't working"?
Specific people, places, or things that cause a sudden, intense urge to use a substance are commonly known by this word.
What are triggers?
Discussion: How do you navigate a trigger when it's something you can't entirely avoid (like a family member or a stressful job)?
This is the term for a return to old behaviors, isolation, and negative thought patterns that often happens weeks before someone actually picks up a substance.
What is an emotional (or mental) relapse?
Discussion: What are your personal warning signs that you are heading toward an emotional relapse?
This Grammy-winning "Rocket Man" singer celebrated over 30 years of sobriety after struggling heavily with drugs and alcohol in the 1970s and 80s.
Who is Elton John?
This fast-food mascot is a clown with bright red hair, yellow overalls, and a slightly concerning obsession with hamburgers.
Who is Ronald McDonald?
This almond-shaped part of the brain is responsible for processing emotions like fear and plays a massive role in triggering anxiety and cravings.
What is the amygdala?
Discussion: What are some grounding techniques you use when your "fight or flight" brain takes over?
This phrase describes setting healthy physical or emotional limits with others to protect your peace and your recovery.
What are boundaries?
Discussion: Why does setting boundaries often feel uncomfortable at first?
Fact or Myth: You must hit a devastating "rock bottom" before you can successfully get help.
What is a myth?
Discussion: Let's reframe this: "Rock bottom is simply wherever you decide to stop digging." Thoughts?
This comedian and actor, known for his hit podcast Armchair Expert, frequently discusses his relapses, his recovery, and the complexities of staying sober.
Who is Dax Shepard?
Often famously referred to by Johann Hari as "the opposite of addiction," this vital element involves building healthy relationships, vulnerability, and community.
What is connection?