Early Recovery Challenges
Maria is 5 days sober. She’s exhausted, irritable, and keeps thinking, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”
What is the most accurate interpretation?
Correct Answer: 2 — Early recovery is often emotionally intense
Why:
The first days and weeks of sobriety are neurologically and emotionally raw. Dopamine levels are dysregulated, sleep is off, and emotions are no longer numbed. Irritability and self-doubt are extremely common. Feeling uncomfortable does not mean someone is failing — it often means the brain is recalibrating.
Ethan feels a strong urge to drink every Friday at 5pm.
This is likely what kind of trigger?
Correct Answer: 2 — Environmental
Why:
Time-based habits are powerful. The brain pairs certain times (Friday 5pm) with substance use through conditioning. This is a learned association, not weakness.
Nina’s friend says, “You’re no fun sober.”
A healthy response would be:
Correct Answer: 3 — Acknowledge the comment and protect sobriety
Why:
Recovery requires assertiveness. A healthy response validates the feeling (“I hear that”) while still prioritizing sobriety. It avoids both people-pleasing and aggression.
“If I can’t stay sober perfectly, what’s the point?”
This is:
Correct Answer: 2 — All-or-nothing thinking
Why:
Perfectionism fuels relapse risk. Recovery is incremental. “If not perfect, then pointless” creates unnecessary shame.
After 1 year sober, Paul stops attending meetings because “I’m good now.”
Possible risk?
Correct Answer: 3 — Complacency
Why:
Recovery maintenance requires ongoing engagement. Distance from supports can slowly increase relapse vulnerability.
James deletes his dealer’s number but memorizes it “just in case.”
What recovery stage is he most likely in?
Correct Answer: 3 — Ambivalence
Why:
Deleting the number but memorizing it shows split commitment. Part of him wants sobriety; part of him wants a safety net. Ambivalence is normal in early recovery — but it’s a risk factor if not addressed honestly.
Kayla argues with her partner and immediately wants to use.
This is most likely:
Correct Answer: 2 — Emotional triggering
Why:
Conflict activates stress systems. If someone historically used substances to regulate distress, arguments become high-risk emotional triggers.
David feels lonely after leaving his using friends.
This feeling is:
Correct Answer: 2 — A normal grief process
Why:
Letting go of using relationships often feels like loss. Grief does not mean recovery is wrong — it means attachment existed.
“I’ve been sober 10 days. I deserve a reward drink.”
This is:
Correct Answer: 3 — Justification thinking
Why:
The brain reframes using as “earned.” This is cognitive distortion dressed as self-care.
Maya builds hobbies, friendships, and routine.
This strengthens:
Correct Answer: 3 — Recovery capital
Why:
Recovery capital includes relationships, hobbies, health, structure, meaning — all protective factors against relapse.
Sasha avoids a family dinner because alcohol will be there. She feels embarrassed canceling.
What recovery skill is she demonstrating?
Correct Answer: 3 — Boundary setting
Why:
Avoiding high-risk environments early on is not avoidance of life — it’s strategic self-protection. Recovery requires temporary boundaries that may feel uncomfortable but protect long-term goals.
Chris says, “The craving came out of nowhere.”
What’s most likely true?
Correct Answer: 2 — There was probably an unnoticed trigger
Why:
Cravings rarely appear “out of nowhere.” They are often linked to subtle cues — hunger, fatigue, stress, memory, environment, or emotion. Increasing awareness reduces surprise cravings.
Rachel starts dating at 3 weeks sober to avoid feeling alone.
This may indicate:
Correct Answer: 2 — Emotional substitution
Why:
Replacing substances with romantic intensity can become another form of regulation. Early sobriety is often about tolerating loneliness rather than escaping it.
“Everyone thinks I’m a failure.”
This distortion is:
Correct Answer: 1 — Mind reading
Why:
Assuming others’ thoughts without evidence increases shame and isolation.
Jordan says, “Sobriety gave me clarity, but now I have to face my trauma.”
This reflects:
Correct Answer: 2 — The deeper work phase
Why:
Sobriety removes the numbing. Trauma and underlying wounds often surface next. This is progression, not failure.
After two weeks sober, Tom says, “I feel amazing. I don’t even think about drinking anymore.”
What might be the hidden risk?
Correct Answer: 3 — Overconfidence
Why:
The “pink cloud” phase can create a false sense of immunity. Early euphoria may reduce vigilance. Overconfidence can lower relapse prevention behaviors like meetings, check-ins, or trigger planning.
Monica keeps driving past her old bar to “prove she’s strong.”
This is:
Correct Answer: 3 — Testing triggers unnecessarily
Why:
Driving past a bar to “prove strength” is exposure without clinical structure. Early recovery prioritizes risk reduction, not strength testing.
Carlos says yes to helping everyone in his recovery group, even when overwhelmed.
This may reflect:
Correct Answer: 2 — Overcommitment
Why:
Over-helping can reflect people-pleasing, avoidance of self-work, or seeking validation. Healthy service includes boundaries.
“I already messed up today, so I might as well use.”
This is:
Correct Answer: 3 — The snowball effect
Why:
Also called the “abstinence violation effect.” One slip becomes justification for full relapse when thinking becomes catastrophic.
After 3 years sober, Alicia still has occasional cravings.
This means:
Correct Answer: 3 — Cravings can still happen
Why:
Neural pathways may never disappear fully. Occasional craving does not negate years of sobriety — it reflects conditioning.
Lena relapses after 30 days. She says, “I ruined everything. I might as well keep going.”
What recovery shift would be most helpful?
Correct Answer: 2 — Accept relapse as information, not identity
Why:
Relapse does not erase progress. Viewing it as data (“What happened? What was missing?”) prevents shame from spiraling into full return to use. Shame fuels addiction; curiosity fuels recovery.
Andre experiences a craving that peaks and then fades without him using.
This shows:
Correct Answer: 3 — Cravings are temporary
Why:
Cravings peak and fall like waves (often 15–30 minutes). Experiencing one without using rewires the brain and builds confidence in tolerance skills.
Tina apologizes to her sister but expects immediate forgiveness.
Recovery teaches that:
Correct Answer: 2 — Trust rebuilds over time
Why:
Amends are the beginning, not the finish line. Others are allowed their process. Recovery includes tolerating delayed trust repair.
“I feel anxious. That means something bad will happen.”
This belief shows:
Correct Answer: 1 — Emotional reasoning
Why:
Feeling anxious does not equal danger. Addiction often strengthens the belief that emotions are facts.
Sam says, “Recovery isn’t just about not drinking. It’s about who I’m becoming.”
This reflects:
Correct Answer: 2 — Identity transformation
Why:
Long-term recovery shifts from “I don’t drink” to “I am someone who lives differently.” Identity change is more powerful than behavior suppression.