Movies
In this 1995 movie, Nicolas Cage portrays a suicidal alcoholic who forms a relationship with a prostitute played by Elisabeth Shue.
Leaving Las Vegas
This rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has been "Not Afraid" to open up about his addiction to prescription drugs, including Vicodin, Valium, and Ambien. He sought treatment and has been in recovery since.
Eminem
Viewing situations, people, or self as entirely bad or entirely good—nothing in between. Such thoughts almost always lead to harsh judgments and alienation from others. Example: “My supervisor is never fair and he has always hated me.”
Black or White Thinking
A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique
Mindfulness
A powerful desire to use substances
Often perceived as "impulsive" and "uncontrollable"
Craving
In this 2000 film, Sandra Bullock stars as a newspaper columnist who is forced into a rehab program after a drunk driving incident. The movie follows her journey towards recovery.
28 days
This late singer, who's "Greatest Love of All" was Bobby Brown, battled addiction to drugs, primarily cocaine, which contributed to her declining health and ultimately her tragic death in 2012.
Whitney Houston
Consistently viewing situations as having no possible positive or even neutral resolution in the future. This leads to despair and refusal to search for solutions to problems. Example: “I’ll never make any new friends who accept me and enjoy me.”
Hopelessness
The practice of taking an active role in regularly doing things that improve your well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress
Self-Care
Someone who guides a newcomer through the process of 12-step groups
Sponsor
400 bonus points for sharing what you know about sponsorship, what you like about the idea of it, and how a "bad" sponsor could affect recovery success.
In this 2012 movie, Denzel Washington takes on the role of an airline pilot struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse.
Flight
The legendary "Rocket Man" struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years before seeking help and entering recovery in the 1990s. He has since become an advocate for addiction awareness and treatment.
Elton John
Viewing self as not worthy of other people’s time, interest, or acceptance. This leads to making self- critical remarks in anticipation of rejection from others. Example: “I don’t blame them for not liking me because I’m not worth it anyway.
Worthlessness
Getting support from a neutral person who can help with mental health and addiction concerns
Therapy or Counseling
The physical and emotional symptoms experienced after detoxification that relate to the "bodily healing" from substance abuse
Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms or (PAWS)
In this 1995 move, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a high school basketball player who descends into drug addiction in this film based on Jim Carroll's memoir.
The Basketball Diaries
The late British singer-songwriter fought a well-documented battle with addiction, primarily to drugs and alcohol. Her struggles were highly publicized, although she had multiple attepts at "Rehab", her tragic death in 2011 was attributed to alcohol poisoning and anorexia.
Amy Winehouse
Blowing expected consequences out of proportion in a very negative direction. This results in withdrawal of effort to change things for the better and reacting to a situation as if the negative consequence has already happened. Example: “I’ll never be able to get another job. This layoff is the end of the line for me.”
Catastrophizing
Doing or thinking about something different when you feel yourself being triggered to use substances
Opposite Action / Contrary Action
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
hint: it reminds us to stop and evaluate current feelings
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
In this 2018 film, Bradley Cooper portrays a famous musician struggling with alcoholism, while Lady Gaga plays an aspiring singer-songwriter. The film explores the challenges of fame, addiction, and love.
A Star Is Born
"The Fighter" country music star battled addiction to drugs and alcohol earlier in his career. He sought treatment in 1998 again in 2006 and has been open about his journey to sobriety.
Keith Urban
Predicting events will turn out badly without any basis in reality. This type of thinking results in pessimism, depression, and withdrawal of effort. Example: “I’ll never get hired, so there’s no sense in even going for the interview.”
Negative Forecasting
This is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world around us influence our emotions and behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /CBT
Excessively using another hobby, substance, or activity to replace or substitute feelings/results that you used to get from using
Cross Addiction