THIS IS HOW
WE DO IT
WE DO IT
This is the most common recovery-support meeting type in the U.S.
What is AA or NA?
This is the FIRST phase of the addiction cycle, often sparked by stress, boredom, or certain people, places, or things.
What are triggers?
Thinking “One craving means I’m going to relapse and lose everything” is this distortion.
What is catastrophizing?
Practicing new behaviors until they feel natural is part of this brain process, where new neural pathways replace old addictive ones.
What is neuroplasticity?
1.Admitting powerlessness in Step 1 is an example of this ego-softening act. 2.Sharing honestly in a group reduces ego-driven isolation and creates this.
1.What is surrender?2.What is connection? ample of this ego-softening act.
A simple activity you can do anywhere—just 10 minutes of this can reduce cravings and anxiety.
What is walking?
This acronym—HALT—helps people recognize trigger states.
What is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?
Believing cravings mean you’re not strong in recovery.
What is interpreting emotion as fact?
When clients explore activities they enjoyed before addiction—music, sports, hobbies—they are reconnecting with this lost part of self.
What is your authentic self or your pre-addiction identity?
A healthy ego allows you to admit this—crucial for learning in recovery.
What is “I don’t know” or “I need help”?
This gentle practice includes poses, breathing, and grounding—great for early recovery.
What is yoga?
Believing “If I don’t use, this craving will kill me” is this kind of distortion.
What is catastrophizing?
This distortion often leads to guilt, shame, and frustration when progress is slower than expected.
What is using internal ‘shoulds’ to judge yourself?
This grounding method uses 5 senses—5 things you see, 4 you can touch, and so on.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique?
1.A “right-sized ego” balances confidence with this key recovery trait.
2.Turning “I’m afraid to fail” into “They don’t want me there anyway.”
1.What is humility?
2.What is displacement or projection?
This mind-body activity uses slow movements and breathing, often called “meditation in motion.”
What is tai chi?
This pattern involves negotiating reasons why it's “okay” to use.
What is rationalization?
This distortion often leads to guilt, shame, and frustration when progress is slower than expected.
What is using internal ‘shoulds’ to judge yourself?
Playing music, art, or cooking engages this part of the nervous system that calms the body.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
The ego often resists recovery tools because it fears this—loss of control.
What is vulnerability?
Dance classes—like line dancing, salsa, or hip-hop—boost mood by releasing these brain chemicals.
What are endorphins?
The brain releases small amounts of dopamine just from planning, repeating this cycle.
What is anticipatory dopamine release?
Mistaking a craving as a crisis instead of a normal part of recovery.
What is catastrophizing cravings
Building a support system that includes mentors, peers, and spiritual advisors forms this protective recovery structure.
What is a sober network?
“I don’t need a sponsor; I can do this myself” reflects a lack of this recovery principle.
What is accountability?