Triggers
What is a Trigger?
Something that inspires a person to want to use or makes them think about using
What is the coping skill when you focus on something else called?
Distraction
When you start the program, how many groups do you have to attend in a month?
Weekly Orientation groups (Wednesday at 11:00)
&
3 groups with your counselor per month
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the act of focusing on your surroundings to let you control your thoughts instead of them controlling you.
What are side effects of Methadone?
Increased sweating, constipation, itchy skin, slow breathing, sexual problems, restlessness
What is the best way to prevent a trigger?
Avoid it. Avoid Slippery Slopes!
What is an example of a distraction coping skill?
Watching TV, listening to music, talking a walk, spending time with positive people, cooking....
What are behaviors that can get you kicked off the Program?
Violence at the program, Refusing to go to a higher level of care, threatening a staff member, Dealing drugs at the program...
Where can you practice Mindfulness?
Anywhere! All you need if your mind!
What does Methadone do to your bones/ teeth?
Studies show that Methadone DOES NOT cause bone or teeth rot. Men on Methadone are found to have lower bone density so they should take a multivitamin but Drs believe it is due to other lifestyle factors.
Does any trigger justify drug use?
No. Life will always have challenges by we use our coping skills to manage stress and negative situations.
When should you use a coping skill?
When I am feeling any emotion that is causing me distress or I am thinking about doing something I might regret later.
Example, when feeling angry, depressed, triggered to use, manic happiness....
What substances are you not allowed to take while on the program?
Any Drugs NOT superscribed by a doctor
Never allowed: alcohol, PCP, fetanyl
Sometimes allowed with a doctor's note: benzodiapines, opioids, amphetamines, Gabapetin
How can Mindfulness help your mental health?
Decrease Anxiety, depression,
Increase mood regulation, anger regulation, empathy...
Why do you need an EKG on Methadone and Suboxone?
Methadone/ Suboxone slows down your heart a small amount, so they want to ensure there are no other heart issues already there.
What is the something you can do before you experience a trigger to prevent use?
Create a relapse prevention plan
What coping skills can you do daily to prevent urges to use?
Prevention: Sleep 8 hours, Go to a meeting, talk about your feelings, exercise, practice mindfulness...
What is the role of the counselor in your recovery?
Someone to talk to, someone to help develop a plan to overcome specific obstacles in your life, someone to encourage you to continue in Recovery, hold you accountable to goals you set....
Name 4 kinds of mindfulness practice
Grounding, meditation, Body Scan, Mindful eating, yoga, exercise, gratitude...
What is vivatrol?
A new injectable medication to prevent opiate relapse. You must be negative for all substances, including Methadone and Suboxone, for 2 weeks before you can start.
People, Places and Things are often considered the three most common triggers- What is the fourth one that impacts people no matter where they are?
Emotions
What is an opposite action coping skill?
An act that creates the opposite emotion of what you are feeling.
For example, When Sally wants to punch a wall, she looks at happy pictures of her family. She feels angry, but does something that makes her feel happy instead.
What is treatment team and when do you have to go?
A meeting with the Supervisor, Nurse, and counselors to discuss a client's treatment. It can be for phase promotion/ demotion or intervention.
How does mindfulness benefit your physical health?
It lowers blood pressure,
lower cortisol levels (stress hormone),
increases immune function (get sick less often),
Increases Empathy for others
Lowers Heart rate
Lower Anxiety
What's the difference with between Methadone and Suboxone?
Suboxone makes you go into withdrawal if you use opiates.
Methadone and Suboxone are blockers and block the euphoric feelings of the opiate.