Putting it All Together

In this module we have explored the world of emotions. We have started learning how to identify emotions. What is this feeling? Where is it in my body? Remaining steady when emotions get too charged up and begin hijacking our brain is key. There is a way to develop an increasing ability to enter into serenity. Our emotional systems are a very complex part of our human experience. Being in touch with our own emotions, and how they affect us, helps us to reflect on situations as they occur, and respond positively and appropriately. Let’s review some of the topics that were covered this week.

1. Identifying Emotions: Joy, anger, sadness, fear, disgust, surprise, trust, and anticipation.
   • Being honest about our emotions.
   • Navigating through negative emotions.
   • What we feel emotionally starts as a feeling in the body.
2. Structuring Your Environment.
   • Decluttering your living space (bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc…).
   • Importance of the first 90 days of recovery: Make going to A.A. and N.A. meetings a priority, saying no to social, family, friends, and extra-curricular activities that don’t go along with your recovery plan.
   • Finding a sponsor and staying connected to a sponsor.
3. The Truth About Opiates
   • Opioids affect the neurons and communication centers of the brain.
   • In 2017- About 48,000 Americans died of opioid overdose or 68% of all drug overdoses (CDC, 2019).
   • Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose when given the right way.
   • Opioids are normally safe when taken for a short period of time as prescribed by a doctor.

   Tolerance- is when the body adapts to a certain amount of a drug and no longer experiences the same effects in the body as when they first started using it. The drug needs to be increased in order to have the same effect. This process can lead to addiction.
   Withdrawal- harmful reactions to suddenly stopping a drug because of the body’s dependence upon it.

   • There are effective medications to help people recover from opioid addiction including: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
   • Organizations like PAL- Parents of Addicted Loved Ones offer great support.
4. A Place of Serenity
   • The Serenity Prayer - “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
   • The Skit Guys video and the “pause” or “hush” that comes in entering into serenity.
5. Emotions and Learning
   • Being aware of our emotions and how they affect us in learning environments.
   • Asking for help when we need it.
   • Empathizing with other’s feelings and emotions.
   • Renewing our ability to succeed in school and learning new things in our jobs by increasing our ability to identify and manage our emotions.
6. Echoes of Joy and Happiness
   • Habits of joyful people including deciding to be joyful.
   • Patience
   • Listening with your heart
   • Being grateful

Wisdom and Emotions

Our convictions and our consciences tell us what is right and what is wrong. We seek to use wisdom to make better and better decisions. Thinking reasonably, we often know what the next right decision is, and we make it. Humanity is filled with diverse experiences and emotions. These emotions help us know we are alive and well or if we are in danger. They also help us relate to one another more fully.

Joy lies in the treasury of the small stuff
and in being grateful
for all you already have!!

Question for Reflection: What was one key thing you learned from the Emotional Intelligence Module?

Helpful Links

http://yourfirststep.org      First Steps in Recovery
https://www.opioidrecovery.org      Opioid Recovery
http://www.thehappymovie.com/    The Happy Movie