Science and Addiction
Whatever the substance is, once addiction to that substance occurs for long enough this important organ drastically changes the way it functions
Brain
This is the term for a persistent, strong, and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
This is the practice of regularly taking time to focus on your own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being
Self-care
This term refers to the healthy ability to understand the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of another
Empathy or empathizing
This class of DBT skills emphasize being fully aware of and engaged in the present moment, without judgement, and is often used to reduce emotional reactivity.
Mindfulness
This neurotransmitter is closely linked to the mind's reward system and is commonly associated with pleasure and reinforcement.
Dopamine
This mental health disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of mania and depression.
Bipolar Disorder
Some people in recovery need help with past difficult life events, distressing experiences, and memories often referred to as a history of _______
Trauma
To maintain healthy relationships, we should identify and communicate these physical, psychological, and emotional limits to protect ourselves from being used, manipulated, or violated by others.
Boundaries
This core DBT skill involves recognizing and balancing opposing emotions or thoughts, helping individuals accept the reality of the present while still striving for change
Dialectical Thinking
These hormones often referred to as the "feel-good" hormones, are released during activities that promote well-being, like exercise, laughter, creative expression, and socialization
Endorphins
The inability to feel pleasure, often associated with depression, this condition makes once-enjoyable activities seem dull or uninteresting.
Anhedonia
This evidence-based approach to maintaining recovery from addiction involves identifying triggers and warning signs and then developing specific coping strategies to avoid a return to negative behaviors
Relapse Prevention
This is the two-word term for the cooperative process of effectively resolving disputes and settling interpersonal arguments and fights in a positive manner that both sides can agree upon
Conflict resolution
These DBT skills help individuals manage and deescalate their stress-levels without making the situation worse, by focusing on the present moment and using strategies like distraction or self-soothing.
Distress Tolerance
This highly advanced and complex area of the human brain is associated with decision-making and impulse control, and is strongly impacted by addiction and intoxication
Prefrontal Cortex
This is the term for a sudden, intense, and overwhelming episode of fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and sweating.
This skills-based form of treatment used in substance use and mental health recovery focuses on identifying and changing thinking patterns to help change feelings and negative behaviors (Hint: also known as CBT?)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This two-word term describes when you carefully hear and focus on what another person is saying and then repeat back what you heard to confirm that you understood them
Active listening or reflective listening
These DBT skills focus on recognizing and altering harmful emotional patters by identifying the triggers, intensity, and frequency of emotions, and learning to implement coping strategies before they escalate. These help us having healthier relationships to our emotions.
Emotional Regulation
In chronic substance use, this process reduces the availability of neurotransmitters and receptors that are naturally found in the brain. This process can result in tolerance, and, when use ceases, Acute and Protracted withdrawal.
Downregulation
This mental health disorder is characterized by persistent and intrusive thoughts followed by repetitive behaviors or rituals aimed at reducing anxiety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
This approach to addiction recovery focuses on minimizing the negative consequences associated with active substance use by providing tools, strategies, resources, and supports to reduce the risks and dangers associated with that use.
Harm Reduction
This refers to a close and profound emotional, psychological, and physical connection between individuals. that involves a deep level of trust, respect, vulnerability, and mutual understanding.
Intimacy
This DBT skill involves letting go of the desire to change a painful reality and fully embracing it, which allows individuals to stop struggling with what cannot be controlled and reduces emotional suffering
Radical Acceptance