Which Skill is it?
Jake is 30 days sober. He gets into an argument with his girlfriend and immediately wants to leave treatment and use substances. Instead, he sits down, takes a breath, and waits before making a decision.
STOP
A friend in early recovery feels lonely and wants to isolate. Instead, they attend a recovery meeting and spend time with supportive peers. This is:
Opposite Action
Your mother says, "You'll probably relapse again." You calmly explains how the comment affects them and asks for support instead. This is an example of:
DEAR MAN
You friend notices the thought, "Everyone hates me," and identifies it as a thought rather than a fact. This is:
Mindfulness
You ask your partner for more support by describing the issue, explaining their feelings, and making a clear request.
DEAR MAN
Amanda feels overwhelmed by cravings after seeing alcohol at a family party. She leaves the room and starts playing a game on her phone to distract herself until the craving passes.
ACCEPTS
Matt thinks, "One relapse means I'm a complete failure." His therapist helps him examine the evidence for that belief. This is an example of:
Check the Facts
During an argument with a family member, you focus on listening instead of planning a response.
Interested (GIVE)
A sibling is experiencing anxiety & names five things they can see, four they can touch, three they can hear, two they can smell, and one they can taste. This skill is:
54321 Grounding Technique
You disagree with a friend but remain respectful and curious about their perspective.
GIVE
Chris receives bad news about a court date and feels like using. He puts ice on his face and practices paced breathing to calm down.
TIPP
A loved one notices cravings but reminds themselves that cravings are temporary and do not require action. This is:
Mindfulness
You tell your father, "I understand why you're worried about me after everything that's happened." This is:
Validation
You feel overwhelming shame after making a mistake but review the facts and realize your reaction doesn't fit the situation.
Check the Facts
You remain honest about a relapse even though you fear disappointing others.
FAST (Truthful)
Sarah's probation officer calls unexpectedly. She notices panic rising but chooses to focus on what she can control rather than react impulsively.
Wise Mind
You are feeling overwhelmed after an argument and want to use. You decide to go for a run to lower your emotional intensity before making any decisions. This is an example of:
TIPP
A peer in group believes, "My parents made mistakes and they also loved me the best they knew how." This is an example of:
Dialectical Thinking
You notice sadness, anxiety, and anger but allow the emotions to exist without fighting them or being critical of them. This is:
Radical Acceptance
You refuse to participate in gossip despite pressure from friends.
FAST (Stick to Values)
A peer says, "I don't like that I have a substance use disorder, but I accept that I have it and I need to work on recovery."
Radical Acceptance
You have been sober for 90 days and are feeling confident. You decide to skip meetings and stop using coping skills. Soon after, cravings increase. What skill could have helped reduce vulnerability?
PLEASE
During a family session, you say, "I understand you've been worried about me and why you feel scared."
Validation
your husband receives bad news from court and immediately wants to leave treatment. Instead, they pause and work through the situation step-by-step. This is an example of:
STOP
You ask clarifying questions and genuinely listen to understand your friend's feelings.
GIVE (Interested)