Ripple Effect
You get high and miss work. How could that affect others?
Co-workers pick up your slack, employer loses trust, you may lose income.
TRUE or FALSE: "My choices only affect me."
Others are affected emotionally, financially, legally, etc.
What’s wrong with this thinking: “I already messed up, so I might as well keep going.”
It leads to giving up and more damage instead of turning it around.
You’ve hurt someone deeply in the past — maybe even multiple times. What are 3 long-term steps you can take to show you’ve changed?
Stay clean/sober, follow through on your word, stay consistent over time, ask for forgiveness but don’t demand it, be patient with the process.
Your friends start using around you. What do you do?
Leave, call support, set a boundary, remind yourself what’s at risk.
You break parole and go back to jail. What ripple effects does that create?
Loss of job/housing, family stress, more supervision, and legal trouble.
You miss your child's event because of court. How might they feel?
Hurt, abandoned, confused, unimportant.
No one cares about me, so why should I care about anyone?” — What’s the thinking error?
All-or-nothing thinking, victim mindset, projecting pain onto others.
How can you show accountability after hurting someone?
Apologize, listen to their side, take action to change.
You feel triggered to fight. What’s one way to cool down fast?
Step away, deep breathe, call a support person, ground yourself.
You act out in group therapy and shut it down. Who’s impacted and how?
Peers miss growth opportunity; counselor has to redirect; creates tension.
You yell at your partner during an argument. What damage can it cause?
Fear, trauma, loss of respect, damage to relationship.
Name 2 signs you’re about to act on impulse.
Tense body, anger rising, shutting down, “I don’t care” thoughts.
You stole from someone. What are 3 ways to make it right?
Return it, admit it, apologize, offer restitution, accept consequences.
You’re in line at the store, someone bumps into you and gives attitude. What do you do to avoid escalating?
Walk away, take a breath, remind yourself it’s not worth going backwards, use a grounding skill.
You relapse and hide it. What can happen next?
You risk overdose, trust is broken, others may follow your example.
You were involved in criminal activity in the past. What are 3 groups of people your actions may have impacted — even if you never thought about it before?
Victims, your family, the community, law enforcement, younger people watching you, employers who took a chance on you
TRUE or FALSE: If someone disrespects me, I’m allowed to go off.
False. You’re responsible for your reaction, not their actions.
What does “living amends” mean?
Changing your behavior long-term to show you’re serious about making it right.
You find yourself in a conversation that’s turning into gossip and negativity about someone. What do you do?
Excuse yourself, change the subject, or challenge the negativity if safe to do so.
How can one positive action (like apologizing) ripple in a good way?
Builds trust, sets an example, improves relationships, reduces tension.
Describe how your past behavior has impacted someone you love.
(Open discussion — invite real stories.)
“I’ll never change.” Why is that belief dangerous?
It kills motivation and makes relapse or crime feel inevitable.
What are 3 signs someone is actually changing, not just saying they are?
Consistent action, honesty, handling setbacks without excuses.
Someone from your past offers you a “business opportunity” that seems shady, but tempting. What questions should you ask yourself before saying yes?
Is this legal?
Could this violate my probation?
Will this cost me my progress, housing, or sobriety?
What’s the long-term risk?