Relapse
Communication
Recovery Groups
The Brain
Coping Skills
100

H.A.L.T. is a reminder of situations or emotional states where one tends to experience more cravings

What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired?

100

This style of communication includes directly expressing one's wants and needs, while also considering the needs of others, and sets appropriate boundaries. Remember, 'No,' is a complete sentence; you do not need to overexplain a boundary.

What is assertiveness?

100

These two individuals founded AA in 1935.

Who are Dr. Bob and Bill W.?

100

This part of the brain is responsible for anger, fear, anxiety, and stress. It "lights up" when one is experiencing a craving or has cues for the substance.

What is the amygdala?

100

This coping skill includes recognizing the thoughts and feelings we are experiencing non-judgmentally, and with curiosity, and allowing them to pass rather than reacting to them. 

What is mindfulness?

200

True or False, relapse is an event, not a process.

What is false?

200

This is one of the greatest determinants that a marriage will fail and is considered one of John Gottman's Four Horsemen to the Apocalypse.

What is contempt? (treating the other as if they are useless and also from a place of moral superiority)

200

For the 12-steps, this is the one step we always need to get right. Remember, progress, not perfection.

What is Step 1? ("We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable)

200

This neurotransmitter is responsible for sleep and regulating mood. It is often times disrupted for prolonged substance use.

What is Serotonin?

200

This is a type of pharmacological intervention that assists in preventing cravings and can block the euphoric effects of substance use.

What is MAT? (Medication Assisted Therapy)- examples include Naltrexone, Campral, Buprenorphine, and Suboxone

300

This type of plan includes recovery supports and contact information, triggers, coping skills, plans for managing one's disease, and managing one's overall health. 

What is a relapse prevention plan?

300

This type of communication style often involves threats, raising one's voice, disrespecting other's boundaries, and considers our own needs over others.

What is Aggressive?

300

This is an "advisor" that someone establishes in 12-step meetings that should have at least 2 years sober and helps individuals work the steps. They can also be a valuable support outside of working the steps. 

What is a sponsor?

300

This part of the brain is responsible for decision-making, self-awareness and empathy, impulse-control, and is considered the "brake" part of the brain. In addiction, it is a part of the brain that has been impaired. 

What is the prefrontal cortex?

300

This type of coping skill includes exercise, journaling, dancing, singing, screaming into a pillow, venting to others.

What is emotional release?

400

This stage of relapse is a period where the individual is not thinking about using, but their emotions are lining them up to use. Common emotional and behavioral signs are: Anxiety, Intolerance, Anger, Poor Sleeping habits, Not going to Meetings, Isolation.

What is an Emotional Relapse?

400

This communication style includes giving into the needs of others, being overly compliant, not speaking to our own wants, and often times includes making oneself smaller.

What is passive or submissive?

400

This recovery groups follows Buddhist teachings and can be used either as an alternative or supplement to traditional 12-step meetings. 

What is Recovery Dharma or Refuge Recovery?

400

This part of the brain is large part what makes addiction possible, it is responsible for motivating and reward-seeking behavior, as well as survival. This area becomes flooded with dopamine when people use substances.

What is the Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway (also called the survival pathway, or reward pathway)?

400

Give examples of relaxation tools.

Deep breathing, grounding tools, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.

500

This type of symptom often occurs after 2+ weeks after abstinence and can include things such as difficulty concentrating, challenges sleeping, stress sensitivity, overreaction, and memory problems. It is often a significant challenge for individuals in staying sober. 

What are post-acute withdrawal symptoms? (PAWS)

500

This type of listening includes good eye contact, removing distractions, reflecting others' statements, listening to understand rather than respond, and provides feedback without unsolicited advice.

What is active listening?

500

This recovery group follows principles of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and includes modifying our thought patterns, coping with urges, identifying triggers, and managing uncomfortable emotions.

What is SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training)?

500

This is considered the pleasure center of the brain.

What is the Nucleus Accumbens?

500

This coping skill can be important very early on for individuals when adjusting to life after treatment. They may use this when considering going to weddings, family get-togethers, or large social gatherings.

What is avoidance or 'come late, leave early?'