Setbacks and Recovery
What is a setback in recovery?
A setback is a disruption in recovery progress, such as increased cravings, risky behavior, or a lapse, that does not erase prior progress.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
All-or-nothing thinking is seeing things in extremes (e.g., “I failed, so nothing matters”).
Name one grounding skill.
Deep breathing, grounding exercises, mindfulness, walking, or sensory techniques.
What is a trigger?
A trigger is a person, place, emotion, or situation that increases the urge to use.
What does resilience mean?
Resilience is the ability to recover, adapt, and continue despite challenges.
What is the difference between a lapse and a relapse?
A lapse is a brief or single return to use or unhealthy behavior; a relapse is a return to sustained use or loss of recovery structure.
Name one cognitive distortion that increases relapse risk.
Examples: catastrophizing, self-blame, mind-reading, overgeneralization, black-and-white thinking.
What is one way to manage cravings?
Delay and distract, urge surfing, calling someone, grounding, or changing environments.
Name one warning sign of relapse.
Warning signs include isolation, increased cravings, skipping meetings, emotional overwhelm, or minimizing recovery.
Name one personal strength that supports recovery.
Examples: honesty, persistence, willingness, self-awareness, courage, or support-seeking.
True or False: A setback means treatment isn’t working.
False. A setback does not mean treatment isn’t working.
How can negative self-talk impact recovery?
Negative self-talk increases shame, lowers motivation, and increases relapse risk.
Why is reaching out important after a setback?
Reaching out reduces isolation, increases accountability, and lowers relapse risk.
How does a relapse prevention plan help?
It helps identify triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and support options before a relapse occurs.
How does self-compassion support motivation?
Self-compassion reduces shame, increases motivation, and supports continued effort.
Name one common emotional trigger after a setback.
Common emotional triggers include shame, guilt, stress, loneliness, anger, disappointment, or hopelessness.
Give an example of a thinking trap after a setback.
Examples: “I messed up, so I might as well keep using,” or “I always ruin everything.”
Name two coping skills for emotional overwhelm.
Examples: breathing exercises, journaling, cold water, grounding, movement, talking to someone.
What role does accountability play in recovery?
Accountability keeps clients honest, connected, and engaged in recovery after mistakes
What keeps people engaged in recovery after mistakes?
Support, accountability, hope, purpose, structure, and connection.
What is one healthy action to take immediately after a setback?
Reach out for support, tell staff or a trusted person, use coping skills, attend group/meeting, or refocus on the next right step.
Reframe this thought: “I messed up, so why try?”
“I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and keep going,” or “One setback doesn’t define my recovery.”
What coping skill would you use when shame shows up?
Self-compassion, grounding, positive self-talk, asking for help, or using distress tolerance skills.
What is one boundary that protects recovery after a setback?
Examples: avoiding high-risk people/places, setting limits, asking for supervision, or creating structure.
Name one reason continuing recovery is worth it, even after setbacks.
Health, family, freedom, stability, self-respect, future goals, or personal growth.