Triggers and Warning Signs
What are triggers in addiction recovery?
people, places, or things that can lead to cravings and potential relapse.
This coping skill involves physical techniques used to lower extreme emotional distress and calm your body during a crisis.
DBT - TIPP
What is becoming aware of cravings or stress points without self-judgment.
Recognizing triggers
This term describes having both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition (like depression or anxiety) at the same time.
Co-occurring disorder (or dual-diagnosis)
True or False: Relapse means that previous mental health or addiction treatment has completely failed.
False. It is often a sign that the current treatment plan needs adjustment, not that progress was erased.
What are the stages of relapse?
Emotional, Mental, and Physical
A personalized, written strategy that helps an individual identify their warning signs and outline concrete steps to stay safe.
Relapse Prevention Plan
This term describes the ability to experience uncomfortable emotions without immediately trying to escape or numb them.
Emotional Regulation / Distress Tolerance
This negative mindset involves only seeing the worst possible outcome of a situation, such as thinking, "If I mess up today, my entire life is ruined."
Catastrophizing
This two-letter word is often the hardest, yet most protective boundary to say to old acquaintances who still use.
"No."
Name common emotional warning signs of potential relapse.
isolation, poor self-care, anxiety, anger, or depression.
This technique involves "riding out" a intense craving by acknowledging it and letting it pass without acting on it.
Urge Surfing
how does the practice of gratitude play a role in achieving and celebrating recovery milestones, and how can it help individuals maintain their progress?
gratitude fosters a positive mindset and appreciation for progress in recovery. It plays a role in achieving and celebrating milestones by reminding individuals of the positive changes they made. It reinforces motivation to continue making healthier choices and stay on the path of sobriety.
Using substances to temporarily escape, numb, or cope with untreated mental health symptoms like severe anxiety or trauma.
Self-medicating
True or False: People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are only obsessed with cleanliness.
False. OCD involves unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that stretch far beyond cleaning or organization.
What is the difference between a "high risk situation" and a "trigger" in the context of addiction recovery?
A "high-risk situation" is an external circumstance or environment that increases the likelihood of relapse, such as being at a party with alcohol present. A "trigger" is an internal or emotional response that prompts cravings or urges to use substances, like feeling stressed or anxious.
Benefits of _____ include increasing your physical well-being, improving your emotional well-being, improving your mental alertness, improving your sleep, providing you with more energy, and reducing your stress and anxiety
Exercise and Movement
At around 90 days of recovery, this vital organ begins to significantly repair its reward pathways and restore natural dopamine production.
The brain.
This evidence-based therapy focuses on the powerful connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help prevent relapse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
True or False: Poor mental health can manifest physically as headaches, fatigue, and stomach pain.
True
What is the difference between a "lapse" (or a slip) and a "relapse"
Lapse- A one-time or very temporary mistake. Duration: Short-lived; the person stops immediately and goes back to their recovery goals.
Relapse- A complete return to old, regular habits and active addiction. Duration: Prolonged; it continues over days, weeks, or months with a loss of control.
This is the average length of time that a typical intense physical craving lasts
15 minutes
what is the significance of the "one day at a time" philosophy in addiction recovery, and how does it relate to the achievement of long-term sobriety milestones?
encourages individuals to stay sober in the present moment, rather than getting overwhelmed by the idea of reaching long-term milestones. Individuals can achieve long term milestones one day at a time :)
What is the Serenity Prayer and how does it relate to recovery?
it is a prayer that helps individuals accept what they can't change, change what they can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
What fundamental principles underlies the effectiveness of support groups in addiction recovery, and why is it essential for individuals seeking sobriety?
Mutual Aid, fosters sense of shared experiences, empathy, and responsibility among members, creating a strong support network that provides understanding, encouragement, and a sense of community, which are all vital for individuals in their journey to achieve and maintain sobriety.