Step 1
What are the first three words of Step One?
“We admitted we…”
What chemical in the brain is most associated with the “reward” feeling from drugs?
Dopamine.
What does “Higher Power” mean in recovery terms?
Any power greater than ourselves that can help restore sanity or direction.
What is a “trigger”?
A person, place, thing, or emotion that makes you think about or want to use.
What is a spiritual principle?
A value or behavior that reflects recovery-based living, like honesty or humility.
What two things do we admit in Step One?
That we are powerless and that our lives have become unmanageable.
What part of the brain is known as the “decision-maker” and is weakened by addiction?
The prefrontal cortex.
True or False: Your Higher Power has to be religious.
False. It can be anything that brings strength, hope, or guidance.
What’s 2 physical sign of a craving?
Restlessness, racing thoughts, or tightness in the chest or stomach.
Which principle is most connected to Step One?
Honesty.
What does “powerless” mean in the context of addiction?
That we cannot consistently control our use or predict our behavior once we start.
What happens to dopamine levels over time with repeated drug use?
The brain produces less naturally, leading to tolerance and emotional numbness.
What’s one way someone can begin to connect with their Higher Power daily?
Through prayer, meditation, gratitude lists, or quiet reflection.
What’s the best immediate response to a craving?
Pause, call a support person, use grounding skills, and wait it out.
What principle helps us show compassion and patience toward others?
Love or tolerance.
What does “unmanageability” often look like in daily life?
Chaos, broken relationships, legal trouble, emotional instability, and loss of control.
Why do people in early recovery often feel flat or unmotivated?
Their brain’s reward system is healing and hasn’t yet restored natural dopamine balance.
How can trusting a Higher Power reduce anxiety in recovery?
By relieving the pressure to control everything and fostering acceptance of what we cannot change.
Why do triggers feel stronger early in recovery?
Because old associations between cues and using behaviors are still active in the brain.
Which principle helps us admit mistakes and make amends?
Humility.
Why is admitting powerlessness considered a sign of strength, not weakness?
Because it’s the first step toward honesty and willingness to change, allowing help to enter our lives.
How does the brain’s “habit loop” reinforce addiction?
A cue triggers craving, which leads to use, which brings temporary relief—reinforcing the loop through repetition.
In Step Two and Three, what spiritual principle connects directly to the idea of a Higher Power?
Hope and Faith.
How can identifying “people, places, and things” help prevent relapse?
It builds awareness of high-risk situations and allows you to make proactive, healthy choices.
What does practicing spiritual principles in all our affairs mean?
Applying recovery values—like honesty, patience, and service—to every part of life, not just meetings.