Neuroscience of Addiction
This chemical is often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.
Dopamine
This acronym helps identify vulnerability: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
HALT
Name one common emotional trigger that can lead to cravings.
Stress (Other acceptable answers: anxiety, sadness, boredom)
This word describes the invisible line that separates your needs, feelings, and responsibilities from others.
a boundary
This DBT skill teaches you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
mindfulness
Addiction hijacks this brain system responsible for rewards and motivation.
The mesolimbic pathway
This type of plan outlines strategies to avoid returning to substance use.
A relapse prevention plan
This type of trigger is based on thoughts, emotions, or memories.
internal trigger
Saying “no” without guilt is an example of this type of boundary.
assertive boundary
This acronym stands for a set of crisis survival skills: Distraction, Self-soothing, Improving the moment, and Thinking of pros and cons.
ACCEPTS
This part of the brain, responsible for decision-making, is weakened by chronic substance use.
The prefrontal cortex
This term refers to the gradual process of returning to old behaviors and thought patterns before actual substance use occurs.
emotional relapse
This mindfulness-based strategy helps individuals observe cravings without acting on them.
urge surfing
This type of boundary is often violated when someone constantly interrupts or dominates conversations.
communication boundary
This acronym helps you ask for what you want while maintaining self-respect.
DEAR MAN
This brain region, central to reward and motivation, is heavily impacted by substance use.
the nucleus accumbens
This cognitive strategy involves identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns.
cognitive restructuring
This recovery skill involves recognizing a trigger, pausing before reacting, and choosing a healthy coping strategy instead of substance use.
self-regulation
This type of boundary involves protecting your time, energy, and emotional well-being from toxic relationships.
personal boundary
This DBT skill involves identifying and labeling emotions accurately.
checking the facts
This term describes the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which plays a key role in recovery from addiction.
neuroplasticity
This evidence-based therapy focuses on identifying high-risk situations and developing coping responses to prevent relapse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This grounding technique involves naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste to reduce the intensity of a craving.
the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise
This phrase describes the tendency to prioritize others’ needs at the expense of your own, often leading to burnout.
people-pleasing
This core DBT principle encourages individuals to accept reality as it is while also working to change it — balancing two seemingly opposite truths.
dialectical thinking