Early Recovery Skills
A powerful desire to use substances often perceived as "impulsive" and "uncontrollable".
What is a craving?
Feelings, individuals, or situations that cause your brain to crave substances.
What are triggers?
A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment
What is mindfulness
Stage 1:
Not yet acknowledging that there is a problem behavior that needs to be changed.
What is precontemplation?
True or False?:
Those suffering from addiction often have one or more medical issues that occur as well.
What is TRUE?
Someone who guides a newcomer through the process of 12 step programs.
What is a sponsor?
Thoughts that are harmful in recovery and can be things we tell ourselves to talk us into using again.
What are justifications?
The practice of taking an active role in regularly doing things that improve your well-being and happiness.
What is self-care?
Stage 2:
Acknowledging that there is a problem but not yet ready, sure of wanting, or lacks confidence.
What is contemplation?
True or False?:
You will always notice the effects of drugs on your physical health immediately.
What is FALSE?
You may notice the cognitive effects immediately but it takes its toll on your body over time.
Connection is the opposite of this.
What is addiction?
Making a list of warning signs, social supports, and coping skills to avoid relapse.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns.
That is therapy or counseling?
Stage 3
Getting ready to change the behavior.
What is Preparation?
This is the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is most affected by substance use.
What is dopamine?
The physical symptoms experienced after detoxification that relate to the "bodily healing" from substance abuse.
What is PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome)?
HALT
What are:
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Name 3 coping skills someone can use in a high stress situation.
What are:
exercise
phone a friend
meditation
deep breathing, etc.
Stage 4:
Changing your behavior.
What is Action?
These are the most common mental health diagnoses in people with a substance use disorder. Name one of the three.
What are:
depression
bipolar disorder
anxiety
"One day at a time,"
"Turn it over,"
"Keep it simple,"
"Take what you need an leave the rest," are all examples of this.
What are 12 step sayings?
A professional who helps support your recovery who is not a counselor and likely has personal experience in recovery.
What is a recovery coach or a sponsor?
I utilize these to help avoid relapse drift.
What are mooring lines?
Stage 5:
Successfully avoid any temptations to return to the bad habit.
What is Maintenance?
This person started AA in 1935.
Who is Bill Wilson?