Relapse Prevention
Feelings, individuals, or situations that cause your brain to crave substances; if you are unaware of them they could be a factor for relapse.
Triggers
What are the two substances that make Suboxone?
Buprenorphine & Naloxone
What are coping skills?
The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations.
A chemical released in the brain that makes you feel good.
Dopamine
A powerful desire to use substances, often perceived as "impulsive" and "uncontrollable"
Craving
List 3 side effects of Suboxone
headaches, nausea, insomnia, constipation, sweating, decreased libido, decreased blood pressure, issues with urination
Give an example of an unhealthy coping skill versus a healthy coping skill
Member response
What is tolerance?
A person's decreased response to a drug, which occurs when the drug is used repeatedly and the body adapts to the continued presence of the drug. Causing the person to use more of the drug to get the same effect.
Someone who guides a newcomer through the process of 12-step groups
Sponsor
What happens when Suboxone is given to someone who recently used full agonist opioids.
Precipitated Withdrawal
When you are feeling stressed, what coping skill can you use?
Member response
Why does the brain stop producing dopamine after repeated drug use?
The brain relies on drugs to receive dopamine and feelings of pleasure.
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
If you want to taper your Suboxone, how much should you decrease?
2mg (1/4 of a tablet)
How long does it take to change your habits from unhealthy coping skills to healthy coping skills?
It can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. In one study, it took anywhere from 18 days to 254 days for people to form a new habit.
How long does it take for dopamine receptors to heal after addiction?
Approximately 14-months to achieve normal levels in the brain with proper treatment and rehabilitation.
What should you do after a relapse or slip up?
Contact support people, come to group, get back on medication, cut off negative influences
How long should you be on Suboxone for?
As long as you want, if it is positively affecting your recovery.
What is the most common coping skill?
Breathing exercises
Describe the reward pathway in your brain.
This pathway transports dopamine from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and amygdala. The pleasurable feelings from the dopamine provide positive reinforcement so that the behavior is repeated.