Feelings Have a Job
Name 3 emotions BESIDES happy, sad, and angry
fear, embarrassment, guilt, disappointment, loneliness, excitement, jealousy, or other emotions
Name 2 qualities of a relationship that support recovery
Respect, honesty, consistency, accountability, safety, support for treatment, respect for boundaries
What is the difference between responding and acting?
Reacting is often immediate and automatic. Responding involves pausing and choosing what to do next.
TRUE OR FALSE:
Because I think something, it must be a fact
FALSE
Thoughts can be accurate, inaccurate, or incomplete
An internal or external cue associated with an urge to use such as stress, a location, conflict a person, or a memory.
TRUE or FALSE:
If I feel angry, I have to act on it to get it out. Explain
FALSE We can acknowledge anger and choose a safer response. Acceptable responses include taking space, grounding, or communicating directly.
What is a boundary? Give one recovery-related example
A limit that guides your participation and protects your well-being. "If substances are being used- I will leave."
Name 2 signs in your body that tell you it might be time to pause.
Tight jaw, racing heart, clenched fists, tense shoulders, feeling hot, or rapid breathing. Other reasonable responses will be accepted.
"I made one mistake, so I'm a complete failure"
What is the problem with this thought?
It turns one event into a judgement about the whole person. Accepted responses:
All or nothing thinking, labeling, or any other reasonable response.
Name one internal trigger and one external trigger
Internal: loneliness, anger, physical discomfort,
External: seeing substances, a familiar location, contact from a person associated with use
Someone says "I don't know what I feel. I just want to leave." Name two questions that could help them figure it out
"What happened right before this?"
"What do you notice in your body?"
"Are you hurt, scared, overwhelmed, or embarrassed?"
A partner says "If you loved me, you would leave treatment" What is one ASSERTIVE response?
"I care about you, and I'm completing treatment, We can talk about ways to stay connected while I'm here."
Someone interrupts you during group, and you feel yourself getting angry. Name 2 helpful things you could do before speaking.
Put feet on the floor, take a comfortable breath, relax hands, name the feeling, or ask for a moment.
A friend has not answered your text. You think, "They don't care about me." Give two other possible explanations.
They are working, sleeping, away from their phone, overwhelmed, or unsure how to respond.
Name 3 signs that someone may need more recovery support - even if they have not used
Withdrawing from support, skipping treatment, hiding struggles, romanticizing use, abandoning helpful routines.
These are cues to check in, not proof that use will occur.
A resident feels sad and says "I'm doing recovery wrong because I'm supposed to be happy now." Give a helpful response
Recovery includes uncomfortable emotions. Feeling sad does not mean someone is failing. Encourage naming the feeling and encourage support.
Someone says "Once my relationship is fixed, I won't need to work on my recovery so much." What concern do you hear?
A resident says "Walking away means I'm weak." Give a more balanced thought and explain how to take a useful break.
"Taking a break can help me stay in control." Communicate the need for space, follow program expectations, and return to address the concern when calmer.
Change "I've messed everything up, so there's no point trying" into a more balanced thought.
"There are consequences I need to address, and what I do next still matters," Other realistic alternatives that acknowledge responsibility will be accepted.
An old contact texts, "Come over. Nobody has to know." Give a 3-step response plan
Decline or stop engaging. Contact a recovery support. Move toward a safer activity or setting. Blocking the contact may also fit the plan.
Show the Skill: Demonstrate a 30-second grounding exercise someone could do while seated in group
Feet on the Floor; Notice contact with the chair; name the things in the room; breathe comfortably. Keep eyes open if preferred.
ROLE-PLAY: One person asks to borrow money. The other declines respectfully, without a long explanation.
"I'm not able to lend money." If pressured "I understand you're frustrated. My answer is still no."
ROLE-PLAY: Someone says "You never listen"
Demonstrate pausing, naming your feeling, and giving an assertive response.
Pause, then "I'm feeling frustrated. I want to understand what you mean. Can you give me a specific example?" Other respectful responses will be accepted.
TEAM CHALLENGE:
For "Someone corrected me in group," give a thought, a feeling, and a helpful action.
Thought: "They think I'm stupid."
Feeling: embarrassment or anger.
Action: pause, check the assumption, ask for clarification, or talk afterward
SHOW THE SKILL:
Practice asking for help before a craving becomes overwhelming. Include what is happening and what you need.
"I'm having a strong urge after that phone call. Can you sit with me and help me make a plan?" Other supportive responses will be accepted