Guilt and Shame
Be Smart, Not Strong
Relapse Justification
Trust
Motivation for Recovery
100

This emotion is a response to doing something that goes against your moral compass or values.

Guilt

100

This strategy involves actively redirecting your thoughts away from using substances.

Practicing thought stopping

100

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

100

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.

100

This motivation involves legal consequences that push an individual towards recovery to avoid incarceration.

"It's either this or jail". 

200

This coping mechanism involves understanding that everyone makes mistakes and learning to forgive oneself as part of the recovery process.

Self-Compassion

200

This involves planning your day to minimize idle time that could lead to substance use.

Scheduling

200

This type of justification arises from significant negative life events, leading one to believe substance use is the only way to cope.

Catastrophic event.

200

This term describes the belief that you can depend on someone, which is essential for rebuilding relationships affected by substance use.

To trust someone. 

200

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"

300

Engaging in this process involves taking steps to correct a wrong, which can help alleviate feelings of guilt.

Making Amends

300

This key to recovery involves staying away from environments and situations where substance use is likely.

Avoiding Triggers

300

Here, the brain convinces the individual that substance use is necessary for a specific purpose, such as improving social interactions or managing weight.

For a specific purpose. 
300

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".

300

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".

400

This type of shame is destructive and involves negative feelings about one's self-worth and identity.

Toxic Shame

400

This action is crucial to maintaining sobriety and involves steering clear of individuals who encourage or engage in substance use.

Avoiding people who use.

400

Feelings of depression, anger, loneliness, or fear are used by the addicted brain as reasons to justify substance use.

Depression, Anger, Loneliness, and Fear.

400

This is a key method for gradually restoring trust with loved ones.

Honesty

400

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"

500

This is the term for the belief that one's substance dependency is a sign of personal failure, contributing to feelings of shame.

Stigma

500

A higher score in this assessment reflects better preparedness and strategies for maintaining abstinence and avoiding relapse.


Recovery IQ

500

This process involves recognizing and challenging the excuses for substance use fabricated by the addicted brain to prevent a relapse.

Identifying and Anticipating Justifications.

500

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. 

500

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".

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