Defense Mechanisms (Defined)
Identify the Defense Mechanism
Recovery Terminology
Relapse Prevention
Boundaries
100

This defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality because the truth is too uncomfortable to face.

What is denial? 

100

A patient says, "I don't have a drinking problem. I can stop whenever I want," despite multiple alcohol-related consequences.

What is denial? 

100

This term refers to a strong desire or urge to use drugs or alcohol? 

What is craving?

100

People, places, things, emotions, or situations that increase the risk of use are called these.

What are triggers? 

100

What are the 3 styles of boundaries healthy, _____, and ______. 

What is porous and rigid? 

200

This defense mechanism involved blaming someone else for thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that actually belong to you.

What is projection?

200

A patient who frequently lies to their family about using drugs says, "My family is always dishonest with me."

What is projection? 

200

This term describes a return to substance use after a period of abstinence.

What is a relapse? 

200

HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and ______.

What is tired?

200

What are 3 types of boundaries?

What is time, physical, emotional, sexual, and financial? 

300

This defense mechanism involves making excuses or creating logical explanations to justify unhealthy behavior.

What is rationalization? 

300

A patient says, "I only drank because my boss stressed me out. Anyone would have done the same thing."

What is rationalization? 

300

This recovery phrase means taking sobriety one day at a time and focusing on the present.

What is "Just for today"?

300

This coping strategy involves thinking through what will happen if you act on a craving instead of focusing only on the immediate reward.

What is playing the tape forward?

300

What style of boundary is this: Your friend asks for money even though you cannot afford it. You give it to them because you are afraid they will be angry.

What is porous?

400

This defense mechanism involves returning to behaviors associated with an earlier stage of development when experiencing stress.

What is regression?

400

A patient says: "My doctor said my liver is only a little inflamed, so I can have another drink."

What is minimizing?

400

This term describes irrational or unhealthy thinking patterns that can contribute to addictive behavior?

What is stinking thinking? 

400

This stage of relapse involves changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors before actual substance use occurs.

What is emotional relapse? 

400

What style of boundary is this: Your family offers transportation to an appointment, but you refuse because you believe accepting help makes you dependent.

What is rigid? 

500

This defense mechanism involves pushing painful thoughts, memories, or feelings out of conscious awareness.

What is repression? 

500
A patient is daydreaming about how they will quit using and selling drugs as soon as they get enough money to get ahead.

What is fantasy? 

500

This term describes remaining abstinent from substances without making the emotional and behavioral changes necessary for recovery. 

What is a dry drunk? 

500

This recovery tool identifies triggers, warning signs, coping skills, support people, and steps to take when relapse risk increases. 

What is a relapse prevention plan? 

500

What style of boundary is this: Someone asks you to take on responsibility that you genuinely don't have the capacity to handle. You say no without guilt.

What is healthy? 

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