Relationships in Early Recovery
This protects your recovery by helping you say what is and isn't okay.
Boundary
Many people believe addiction interrupts what type of development?
Emotional development (or emotional maturity)
What is an urge?
A temporary desire or craving to use substances or engage in another unhealthy behavior.
What is a trigger?
A person, place, emotion, thought, or situation that increases the urge to use.
What is the goal of a relapse prevention plan?
To identify warning signs, triggers, coping strategies, and supports before a relapse occurs.
Why do many treatment programs recommend waiting before starting a new romantic relationship?
Recovery should come first, and new relationships can distract from healing, increase emotional stress, or become a substitute addiction.
People in recovery often say emotional growth can become "stuck" around what point in life?
Around the age when addiction or regular substance use began.
What are three healthy things you can do while "riding the wave" of an urge?
Examples include:
Name the four letters in HALT.
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
Name one person you should contact if you're struggling with cravings.
Sponsor, therapist, recovery peer, trusted family member, sober friend, or another support person.
Name three qualities that make a relationship healthy.
Examples include honesty, trust, respect, communication, support, accountability, empathy, loyalty, and healthy boundaries.
Name three healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions without using substances.
Examples include talking to someone, attending a meeting, praying, exercising, journaling, deep breathing, mindfulness, listening to music, or taking a walk.
What usually happens to an urge if you don't act on it?
It eventually decreases and passes.
True or False: A craving usually lasts forever unless you use.
Cravings are temporary and usually pass if you don't act on them.
What are two early warning signs that someone may be at risk for relapse?
What are two early warning signs that someone may be at risk for relapse?
What are three signs that someone is supportive of your recovery?
They encourage sobriety, respect boundaries, celebrate progress, avoid pressuring you to use substances, communicate honestly, and hold you accountable.
Why can emotions feel much stronger in early recovery?
Because substances are no longer numbing emotions, and many people are learning healthy coping skills for the first time.
Name one grounding technique that can help during an urge.
Deep breathing, the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, mindfulness, body scanning, or focusing on your surroundings.
What is one example of "playing the tape through" when experiencing a craving?
Thinking beyond the immediate urge and considering the negative consequences of using, rather than focusing only on temporary relief.
Why is honesty considered one of the most important relapse prevention tools?
Because secrets and dishonesty often allow addiction to grow, while honesty invites support and accountability.
What is one sign that a relationship is becoming codependent?
Examples include feeling responsible for another person's emotions, neglecting your own needs, difficulty saying no, or relying on one person for all happiness.
What does emotional regulation mean?
The ability to manage emotions without becoming overwhelmed or acting impulsively.
What are the three stages of urge surfing?
Notice the urge, observe it without judgment, and let it rise and fall without acting on it.
Name two internal triggers.
Stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, loneliness, boredom, guilt, shame, excitement.
True or False: A relapse usually begins before someone actually uses substances.
True. Relapse often starts emotionally and mentally before it becomes physical.