Guilt and Shame
This emotion is a response to doing something that goes against your moral compass or values.
Guilt
This strategy involves actively redirecting your thoughts away from using substances.
Practicing thought stopping
This justification involves blaming substance use on social situations or the actions of others, like a friend bringing wine to dinner.
Someone else's fault
This is the feeling you must rebuild over time after it's been damaged by substance use, as it doesn't return immediately after stopping use.
Trust.
This motivation involves legal consequences that push an individual towards recovery to avoid incarceration.
"It's either this or jail".
This coping mechanism involves understanding that everyone makes mistakes and learning to forgive oneself as part of the recovery process.
Self-Compassion
This involves planning your day to minimize idle time that could lead to substance use.
Scheduling
This type of justification arises from significant negative life events, leading one to believe substance use is the only way to cope.
Catastrophic event.
This term describes the belief that you can depend on someone, which is essential for rebuilding relationships affected by substance use.
To trust someone.
A significant personal relationship is at stake here, serving as a catalyst for someone to seek recovery.
"My partner will leave me if I don't stop"
Engaging in this process involves taking steps to correct a wrong, which can help alleviate feelings of guilt.
Making Amends
This key to recovery involves staying away from environments and situations where substance use is likely.
Avoiding Triggers
Here, the brain convinces the individual that substance use is necessary for a specific purpose, such as improving social interactions or managing weight.
The reaction one might have when others suspect them of using substances, even when they are not, which can challenge the recovery process.
Feeling like "If people are going to treat me as if I’m using, I might as well use".
This motivation comes from a life-threatening experience directly related to substance use.
"Last time I used I thought I was going to die; I know I’ll die if I use again".
This type of shame is destructive and involves negative feelings about one's self-worth and identity.
Toxic Shame
This action is crucial to maintaining sobriety and involves steering clear of individuals who encourage or engage in substance use.
Avoiding people who use.
Feelings of depression, anger, loneliness, or fear are used by the addicted brain as reasons to justify substance use.
Depression, Anger, Loneliness, and Fear.
This is a key method for gradually restoring trust with loved ones.
Honesty
The desire to maintain custody of one's children can be a powerful incentive to enter and continue recovery.
"They are going to take the children from us unless we stop"
This is the term for the belief that one's substance dependency is a sign of personal failure, contributing to feelings of shame.
Stigma
A higher score in this assessment reflects better preparedness and strategies for maintaining abstinence and avoiding relapse.
Recovery IQ
This process involves recognizing and challenging the excuses for substance use fabricated by the addicted brain to prevent a relapse.
Identifying and Anticipating Justifications.
These are strategies one can employ to deal with doubts or suspicions from others about their substance use during the recovery process.
Coping with suspicion.
This reflects a realization about the duration of substance use and a desire for a significant life change.
"I’ve been using for so long now; it’s time to change".