Recovery Knowledge
Recovery
An ongoing process of improving your health, well-being, and quality of life. It can include learning new skills and making healthier choices.
Name one healthy thing you can do when you feel stressed.
Take a walk, breathe slowly, listen to music, journal, pray, or talk with a trusted person.
What should you do before making an important decision?
Stop and think about your options and the possible consequences.
What is a personal boundary?
A limit you set to protect your safety, well-being, values, and time.
Name one healthy hobby you can enjoy without spending much money.
Walking, reading, drawing, dancing, cooking, gardening, playing games, or visiting a library.
Trigger
A person, place, feeling, situation, or thought that increases the urge to use substances or return to harmful behavior.
What is one thing you can do when a craving feels overwhelming?
Leave the triggering situation, contact a support person, use a coping strategy, and give the craving time to pass.
Your friend offers you quick money, but you suspect it involves illegal activity. What is the safest choice?
Decline, avoid getting involved, and seek legitimate alternatives.
Someone pressures you to use substances and says you are no fun anymore. What could you say?
I'm focused on my recovery, and I'm not using. Please respect my decision.' You can also leave the situation.
Why is having a daily routine helpful in recovery?
It creates structure, reduces unplanned time, supports healthy habits, and can help manage stress and triggers.
Relapse
A relapse generally means a return to a previous behaviors, attitudes and substance use
You are angry and want to send a message that could make a conflict worse. What should you do first?
Pause before responding, calm down, consider the consequences, and communicate when you are ready.
You spend your rent money on something you wanted. What are two possible consequences?
Falling behind on rent, late fees, housing instability, stress, or conflict with others.
What is the difference between helping someone and enabling them?
Helping supports healthy change and responsibility; enabling can protect someone from the consequences of harmful behavior or make the behavior easier to continue.
You receive your paycheck and have bills, groceries, and entertainment to pay for. What should you do first?
Plan for essential needs, including housing, utilities, food, and transportation, before deciding how much is available for entertainment.
You have been sober for a year, but you stop attending support meetings and reconnect with people you used with. Why might this be a warning sign?
Support and healthy routines may be weakening, and exposure to triggers may be increasing. Recognizing warning signs early allows someone to strengthen their recovery plan.
You feel lonely, angry, and bored all at once. Explain a three-step plan to manage these feelings without using substances.
Identify the feelings, use a calming or distracting activity, and reach out to a safe person or recovery support.
You make a poor decision and feel ashamed. How can you take responsibility without letting shame push you toward more harmful choices?
Acknowledge what happened, accept appropriate consequences, make amends when possible, ask for help, and develop a plan to respond differently next time.
Someone you love repeatedly disrespects your boundaries but promises to change. What should guide your next decision?
Look at the pattern of behavior, your safety, whether actions match promises, and what boundaries or support you need. You cannot control another person's choices.
Imagine your life one year from now. Name three realistic changes you could begin this week to move toward that life.
three actionable goals, such as building a support network, following a budget, applying for work, practicing coping skills, or establishing a healthy routine.