Recovery Road
The first step in AA begins with admitting this.
What is powerlessness over alcohol (or addiction)?
Brushing your teeth, showering, and wearing clean clothes are examples of this type of self-care.
What is physical self-care (or basic hygiene)?
In SMART goals, the “M” stands for this.
What is Measurable?
This is the most widely used class of medications for depression.
What are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)?
Carrying mints, gum, or a water bottle can help manage this common recovery challenge.
What are cravings?
These supportive relationships in recovery help keep you accountable.
What are sponsors/mentors/peers?
This macronutrient is the brain’s primary source of energy.
What are carbohydrates?
According to Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, humans can endure almost any “how” if they have this.
What is a why (purpose)?
The amygdala plays a major role in regulating this emotion.
What is fear (or threat detection)?
This grounding method uses your senses to name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique?
This type of therapy focuses on building coping skills and emotional regulation, especially for high-risk behaviors.
What is DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)?
Consistent exercise is shown to increase this “feel good” chemical also linked to pain relief.
What are endorphins?
The belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are not fixed traits and can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence.
What is a growth mindset
PTSD often involves hypervigilance and this kind of recurring experience.
What are flashbacks?
Suppressing emotions tends to make them do this over time.
What is intensify (or come back stronger)?
These are the three stages of relapse: emotional, mental, and this.
What is physical relapse?
Practicing gratitude daily is shown to increase activity in this brain region.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
These “automatic negative thoughts” are inaccurate or biased ways of thinking that twist reality and often that reinforce a fixed mindset
What are cognitive distortions?
This psychological defense mechanism involves a person unconsciously attributing their own unwanted thoughts, feelings, or impulses onto someone else.
What is projection?
Journaling about your emotions before reacting to them is an example of this CBT technique.
What is thought recording (or thought journaling)?
These gatherings involve people coming together to share their experiences, challenges, and encouragement around a common issues such as addiction, mental health, grief, or personal growth.
what are support groups? Or AA/NA/SMART Recovery meetings?
The habit loop, a model that explains how habits form and repeat in the brain, occurs in these four stages
What is Cue → Craving → Routine → Reward?
Living according to one’s deepest values creates this state of alignment.
What is congruence (or authenticity)?
Long-term substance use can shrink this brain region linked to memory
What is the hippocampus?
This DBT skill helps you act opposite to your urge when your feelings are leading you astray.
What is opposite action?