Triggers
____ people, places, things, experiences, feelings, or events that a person associates with their drug or alcohol use.
What is a trigger?
State-Shifting is a tool for when you're _____.
What is Triggered?
"I'm back in control. I'll be able to stop when I want to." "This drug/alcohol was not my problem, so I can use this & not relapse" are examples of...
What are Relapse Justifications?
Prayer, meditation, going on a walk, listening to music, calling a friend/sponsor are all examples of...
Coping Skills
_____ is a neurotransmitter heavily involved in addiction and reward pathways. (Hint: it's the "feel good" chemicals that drugs give us)
What is Dopamine?
_______ particular locations, activities, things, people, places objects, situations, smells, tastes, images, or events that make a person want to drink/use drugs.
What are External Triggers?
Physical sensations, judging thoughts, difficulty paying attention, dissociation, defensiveness, obsessively repeating thought patterns, and emotional outbursts are all examples of what?
What are tell-tale signs of being triggered?
_____ is a primary factor for relapse. (Hint: it was our topic on last week)
What is Stress?
_____ is the quickest, easiest way to calm down when you're triggered or overwhelmed.
What is Breathing?
The _____ is a primitive part of the brain not capable of rational thought & in control when you're triggered. It is also in charge of our fight-flight-freeze response system.
What is the Amygdala?
_____ emotions, feelings, thoughts, or memories that make a person want to use alcohol or drugs.
What are Internal Triggers?
The four steps to _____ _____: Name it, Take space appropriately, Shift your state, and Deal with the situation
What is State-Shifting?
True or False: Relapse occurs once the person takes that first hit/drink.
False - relapse begins long before the physical act of drinking/using. Emotional and Environmental Relapse occurs long before use.
______ is the practice of staying in the present moment without judgment. It helps with observing thoughts and feeling emotions without acting impulsively.
What is Mindfulness?
Building a tolerance to drugs/alcohol is due to a decrease in ______ _______, causing the person to increase amounts of drugs/alcohol used over time to reach the same level of "high."
What are Dopamine Receptors?
If not managed, triggers lead to ____
Cravings
This step in State-Shifting involves saying "I'm triggered" to avoid reacting.
What is step one of State-Shifting?
_____ _____ _____ are subtle changes in behavior, thinking, and feelings that indicate a person in recovery is at risk of returning to substance use.
What are Early Warning Signs of Relapse?
When you feel like using, you should ask yourself if you are H.A.L.T. What does this stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
High levels of ______ (chemical produced by stress) can cause cravings due to activation of the fight-or-flight response.
What is Cortisol?
Name 3 Internal AND 3 External Triggers
Internal: stress, anxiety depression, boredom, loneliness, negative self-talk, memories, low self-esteem, etc..
External: People, places, social events, peer pressure, stressful situations, access to substances, advertisements for substances, etc..
Breathing, move energy, feel your feelings, self-soothing, meditation/prayer, mind-body practices, connect to purpose, self-humor, and changing your physical environment are all tools for which State-Shifting step?
What is step 3: Shift your State?
What are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of someone developing a substance use disorder?
Genetics, early childhood trauma, association with people who use drugs, access to drugs, lack of positive outlets.
This is the best way to deactivate our fight-flight-freeze response system. (Hint: Hijacking the feeling by using your body)
What is Changing your Body Temperature?
The ______ _______ is the area of the brain important for decision-making, judgement, and morals that is hijacked when a person is triggered or using.
What is Prefrontal Lobe Cortex