Cognitive Distortions
"Everyone always says that to me."
Overgeneralizing
In men, this is the emotion most often linked to relapsing.
Anger
Arguing over small things, or demanding people agree with you.
Looking for conflict
This practice of paying attention to yourself and your environment helps you be present in the moment.
Mindfulness
This Harry Potter star was often drunk on set during later movies and stays in remission by reading self-help books and spending time with people in recovery.
Daniel Radcliffe
"Either I do it right, or I don't do it at all."
Black & White Thinking
HALT
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Spending time with people who use, or going to the bar for coffee.
Testing personal control
Unusual symptoms occurring during remission that can affect thinking, sleep, moods, motor skills, health, and memory.
Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)
This comedian is a vocal advocate for the 12 Step Community and has a YouTube channel dedicated to recovery tools.
Russell Brand
"If I love my partner enough, they'll stop using."
Fallacy of Change
These grow out of not talking about your feelings.
Resentments
Making excuses, telling "white lies", or leaving out details.
Dishonesty
Identifying things in your world that you can appreciate.
Gratitudes
This Iron Man's behaviours nearly destroyed his career until he attended treatment and realized he needed to choose between "being an egomaniac or having self-respect."
Robert Downey Jr.
"I don't feel like using any more, so I don't have high risks."
Emotional Reasoning
Feeling like no one gets how hard your life is, or like everything keeps happening to keep you down.
Self-Pity
Taking remission for granted, or going back to comfortable routines.
Complacency
Telling people what you need and explaining how the relationship affects your health.
Setting boundaries
This rapper's pain killer addiction led to a month long hospitalization for a methadone OD. He attributes treatment, consciously changing his life, and weekly NA meetings to his remission.
Eminem
"I try and I do everything. Why can't I get a break in life."
Heaven's Reward Fallacy
Feelings happening in someone acting cocky, impatient, or minimizing damage from their use.
Any one of:
Fear, Self-loathing, Shame, Guilt
Talking about past use in a positive way.
Glamourizing or Romaticizing
Changing this one thing can immediately reduce stressors and unwanted contact with high risk people.
Phone number
During the last of multiple prison sentences, this reluctant actor discovered that service to others and being with people in remission inspired him to leave his life in the game behind.
Danny Trejo