Emotional Intelligence
Myth or Truth
Recovery & Moral Dilemmas
Cognitive Distortions
Value Identification
100

The ability to recognize what emotion you are experiencing before reacting to it.


What is self-awareness?

Discussion Points:

  • Why is it difficult for people to identify emotions?
  • What emotions are easiest for you to recognize?
  • What emotions do people often hide behind anger?
100

"If I am struggling emotionally, it means recovery is not working."

What is a myth?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people believe recovery should feel easy?
  • How can struggles actually show growth?
  • What is the difference between struggling and giving up?
100

You find a wallet with cash inside and the person's identification. Nobody saw you find it.

What is integrity?

Discussion Points:

  • Does doing the right thing change when nobody is watching?
  • How does integrity affect recovery?
  • Who are you becoming when no one is around?
100

"I made one mistake, so I have completely failed."

What is all-or-nothing thinking?

Discussion Points:

  • How does perfectionism impact recovery?
  • Why do people give up after mistakes?
  • What does progress instead of perfection mean?
100

A person tells the truth even when lying would make their life easier.


What is honesty?

Discussion Points:

  • Why is honesty difficult in recovery?
  • What happens when honesty becomes a habit?
  • How does honesty rebuild relationships?
200

An individual feels angry during a disagreement. Instead of yelling, they take a break, calm down, and return to the conversation.

What is emotional regulation?

Discussion Points:

  • What happens when we react before regulating?
  • What are healthy ways to manage intense emotions?
  • How did addiction impact emotional regulation?
200

"Being honest about a problem before getting caught is a sign of strength."

What is truth?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people wait until consequences happen before telling the truth?
  • What makes honesty difficult?
  • How does honesty rebuild trust?
200

A friend asks you to lie for them because they are afraid of consequences.

What is a moral dilemma?

Discussion Points:

  • What values are conflicting?
  • Is protecting someone's feelings always helping them?
  • What does accountability look like?
200

"My counselor looked disappointed, so they must think I cannot change."

What is mind reading?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do we assume we know what others think?
  • What evidence supports the thought?
  • What evidence challenges it?
200

A person makes a mistake and chooses to admit it instead of blaming someone else.

What is accountability?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people avoid responsibility?
  • What is the difference between explaining and making excuses?
  • How does accountability create change?
300

Someone notices they become defensive whenever someone gives them feedback. They begin recognizing that defensiveness is connected to feeling ashamed or criticized.

What is emotional awareness?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people often defend themselves instead of listening?
  • What emotions are usually underneath anger or defensiveness?
  • How can awareness create different choices?
300

"Forgiving someone means you have to trust them exactly the same way you did before."

What is a myth?

Discussion Points:

  • What is the difference between forgiveness and trust?
  • Can you forgive someone while still having boundaries?
  • Why does rebuilding trust take time?
300

You learn another resident plans to return to using after discharge but asks you to keep it secret.

What is a conflict between loyalty and responsibility?

Discussion Points:

  • When does loyalty become enabling?
  • What does caring for someone really look like?
  • Is honesty always comfortable?
300

"I failed at staying sober before, so I will always fail."

What is overgeneralization?

Discussion Points:

  • Why does the brain focus on past failures?
  • How can someone learn from the past without living in it?
  • What is a healthier replacement thought?
300

Someone asks for help because they recognize they cannot do everything alone.

What is humility?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do many men view asking for help as weakness?
  • How can vulnerability be a strength?
  • What does healthy independence look like?
400

A person in recovery notices that when they feel rejected, they isolate, become angry, and start thinking about using.

What is recognizing emotional triggers?

Discussion Points:

  • Why are emotions often connected to relapse?
  • What are your personal emotional warning signs?
  • What could someone do differently at that moment?
400

"Addiction changes the way people think, but recovery requires challenging those thoughts."

What is truth?

Discussion Points:

  • What are some thoughts addiction creates?
  • What thoughts have you had to challenge in recovery?
  • How do thoughts influence behavior?
400

Someone breaks a rule in treatment and asks you not to tell because "everyone makes mistakes."

What is the difference between compassion and enabling?

Discussion Points:

  • Can you support someone while holding them accountable?
  • Why do people confuse consequences with punishment?
  • How does accountability help recovery?
400

"Everyone is judging me because I made a mistake."

What is personalization?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people assume everything is about them?
  • How does shame influence thinking?
  • What would you tell a friend having this thought?
400

A person says family is their biggest value, but their actions continue damaging those relationships.

What is the difference between a stated value and a lived value?

Discussion Points:

  • Do our actions show our values better than our words?
  • What values did addiction interfere with?
  • What values are you rebuilding?
500

Someone says, "I'm just angry." After talking through it, they realize the anger is connected to feeling abandoned, hurt, and disappointed.

What is identifying the emotion underneath the emotion?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people use anger as a protective emotion?
  • What feelings are difficult for men to admit?
  • How does understanding the real emotion change the response?
500

"Once someone completes treatment, they should not need support anymore because they should be able to handle recovery alone."


What is a myth?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people try to do recovery alone?
  • Why is connection important?
  • What happens when someone isolates?
500

A person knows telling the truth may create conflict today, but hiding the truth could create bigger problems later.

What is choosing integrity over short-term comfort?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do people avoid uncomfortable conversations?
  • How does avoidance create bigger problems?
  • What does courage look like in recovery?
500

"I feel like a bad person, therefore I must be one."

What is emotional reasoning?

Discussion Points:

  • Are feelings always facts?
  • What is the difference between guilt and shame?
  • How can someone make mistakes without becoming their mistakes?
500

Someone chooses not to attend a party with alcohol because protecting their recovery is more important than pleasing others.

What is prioritizing recovery-based values?

Discussion Points:

  • Why do values sometimes require sacrifice?
  • What short-term rewards compete with long-term goals?
  • What kind of person are you trying to become?
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