Brain & Body
This neurotransmitter is often called the “reward chemical” and floods your brain when you experience something pleasurable.
What is dopamine?
DBT is an acronym for this therapy that teaches mindfulness, emotion regulation, and coping skills.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
A clear line between what you will and will not accept from others is called a…
What is a boundary?
The first step in AA/NA asks you to admit this about your life.
What is that you are powerless over your addiction and your life has become unmanageable?
This long-running animated series featured an episode where Moe the bartender attends AA.
What is The Simpsons?
True or False: Substance use can hijack the brain’s reward system, making natural rewards feel less satisfying.
What is true?
This technique involves noticing cravings or emotions, observing them without acting, and letting them pass.
What is "urge surfing"?
This behavior often shows up in recovery and can undermine your needs while pleasing others.
What is people-pleasing?
A sponsor provides…
What is guidance, support, and accountability in recovery?
This animated show features a washed-up actor dealing with alcoholism and depression, often used as an allegory for addiction struggles.
What is Bojack Horseman?
Name 2 natural ways to boost serotonin or dopamine without substances.
What is exercise, meditation, socializing, sunlight, or hobbies?
HALT is an acronym to check before acting. What does it stand for?
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
Name 2 ways poor boundaries can trigger relapse.
What is taking on too much stress, overcommitting, tolerating toxic relationships, or enabling?
What is the purpose of “making amends” in Steps 8 and 9?
What is repairing relationships, reducing guilt, and fostering personal responsibility?
True or False: Portrayals of addiction in media always accurately represent recovery processes. Explain.
False – media often dramatizes or simplifies recovery; real recovery involves ongoing challenges, support systems, and behavioral change.
This stress hormone can increase cravings and make relapse more likely if not managed.
What is cortisol?
Explain how practicing delayed gratification can reduce relapse risk.
Strengthens prefrontal cortex regulation, helps tolerate discomfort, and reinforces long-term goals over immediate impulses.
True or False: It’s healthy to feel guilty when saying “no” to someone who wants your time.
What is False? Healthy boundaries do not require guilt.
This approach focuses on reducing negative consequences of substance use rather than requiring complete abstinence.
What is harm reduction?
Name a situation where someone might need to ask for help instead of “toughing it out” and why it’s okay.
Examples: financial stress, overwhelming work or school demands, emotional overwhelm, or health issues; it’s okay because asking for help is a healthy coping strategy and supports recovery.
Explain why sleep disruption during early recovery can make cravings worse.
Sleep deprivation affects the prefrontal cortex and emotional regulation, making it harder to resist urges.
In CBT, this skill helps you challenge “automatic negative thoughts” before they spiral.
What is cognitive restructuring?
Assertive communication is different from passive or aggressive because it…
What is expresses your needs clearly while respecting others?
Step 11 encourages prayer or meditation. Explain the psychological benefit of this practice in recovery.
Enhances mindfulness, emotional regulation, reduces stress, and strengthens connection to values or higher purpose.
In this Marvel/Netflix show, this character copes with PTSD and heavy drinking while working as a detective.
Who is Jessica Jones?