12 Steps
What is admitting we were powerless over our addiction and that our lives had become unmanageable?
This is step one in the 12-step program.
This common slogan reminds us to take things one moment at a time, not 87 years into the future.
What is one day at a time?
This is one of the simplest and most underrated coping skills—used to pause, reset, and stop yourself from reacting emotionally.
What is “ Taking a deep breath?”
This is the name for a trusted person you can call for guidance, support, or a reality check—ideally before your next bad decision.
What is a sponsor?
This 2012 animated movie features a support group for video game villains—including a zombie, a robot bug, and a guy with rage issues.
What is Wreck it Ralph?
This step involves “turning our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”
What is Step 3 ?
This slogan is used when someone’s obsessing about things they can’t control.
What is Let Go and let God ?
This physical activity is often recommended to help burn off stress, regulate emotions, and get out of your own head.
What is exercise?
This physical or digital item often contains a list of emergency contacts, safe coping skills, and steps to take during a crisis.
What is a recovery plan / safety plan?
In this movie, Bradley Cooper plays a musician struggling with addiction—and it ends… poorly. Bring tissues.
What is A Star is Born?
This step is when we make a list of all persons we had harmed and become willing to make amends to them all.
What is the 8th step?
This 4 letter abbreviation reminds you to take care of and identify your basic needs before you spiral into a human disaster zone.
What is the HALT ( hungry, angry, lonely and tired.)
This acronym describes what happens when your brain starts jumping to the worst-case scenario—even when there’s no real reason to panic.
What is “FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real”?
This tool involves attending gatherings—virtual or in-person—where people in recovery share experiences, strength, and hope.
What is a meeting?
This long-running medical drama featured multiple characters with substance use disorders—including Dr. House and a surprising number of nurses.
What is House MD?
This step requires a “fearless and moral inventory” of ourselves.
What is Step 4 ?
This saying reminds you to stop playing therapist to everyone else and maybe handle your own emotional dumpster fire.
What is Keep the Focus on yourself.
This phrase is used when someone keeps bouncing between wanting to recover and wanting to self-destruct. Spoiler: you can’t do both.
What is “ One foot in one foot out.?”
This tool helps you understand your behavior by listing out the events, feelings, and consequences around a specific situation or relapse.
What is a trigger log or behavior chain analysis?
In this animated movie, a group of sharks meet in something like a 12-step program, chanting “Fish are friends, not food” while trying to fight their instincts.
What is Finding Nemo
This is the step where we “sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God.”
What is step 11?
This slogan is often used when you’re overthinking, catastrophizing, and turning a stubbed toe into a personality crisis.
Or in other words “ Future Tripping “
what is “ First things first?”
In the show Shameless, this character battles alcoholism, hits rock bottom more than once, and eventually tries to rebuild their life through sobriety and community.
Who is “Lip Gallagher ?”
This “tool” isn’t a worksheet or a person—but it’s crucial. It means accepting that recovery is messy and being willing to try again after failure.
What is self-compassion?
In this animated Pixar film, we learn that avoiding sadness can actually cause more harm—and that real healing comes from letting yourself feel all your emotions.
What is Inside Out?