Recovery Reality
Name one reason a person might use substances besides “wanting to get high.”
Stress, boredom, fitting in, escaping feelings, confidence, sleep, having fun
A friend asks you to hang out after school, but you know people there usually use. Name one option.
Say no, suggest somewhere else, leave if use starts, call someone, or make another plan.
True or false: Being exhausted can make emotions and decision-making harder to manage.
True.
You have five missing assignments. What is usually more useful: trying to solve all five at once or choosing one next step?
Choose one next step.
“You have to use substances every day for your use to become a serious problem.”
MYTH
Why:
Frequency is only one part of the picture. Consequences and loss of control also matter.
True or false: Having a craving means you have to act on it.
False. A craving is an urge, not a command.
You get into a big argument at home and immediately want to leave. What is one move that could keep the problem from getting bigger?
Pause, take space safely, calm down, talk to someone, or wait before making a decision.
What does tolerance mean?
Needing more of a substance to get the same effect, or getting less effect from the same amount.
Someone starts a rumor about you at school. Name one reaction that could make the situation even worse.
Fighting, threatening them, posting online, spreading another rumor, or reacting impulsively
“If someone has a craving, that means they are definitely going to use.”
MYTH
Why:
Urges can rise and fall without being acted on.
Why can boredom become risky for someone trying not to use?
Boredom can bring back old habits, thoughts about using, or risky people and places.
Someone offers you a substance and says, “Come on. One time won’t matter.” Give a response you could actually use.
Examples:
“No, I’m good.”
“I’m not doing that anymore.”
“Nah, I’ve got stuff going on.”
Leave the situation.
What is one difference between wanting a substance and feeling like you need it just to feel normal?
The second may involve dependence, withdrawal, or the body adjusting to the substance.
You disagree with a teacher, parent, coach, or probation officer. Name one way to disagree without automatically making the conflict bigger
Stay calm, ask questions, explain your side respectfully, ask to talk privately, or take a break first.
“If someone is not physically dependent on a substance, their use cannot be serious.”
MYTH
Why:
Substance use can still cause major problems with school, relationships, safety, legal issues, or mental health.
Someone has not used for a few weeks and thinks, “I’m good now. I could probably use once and control it.” What could be risky about this thinking?
They may lower their guard, return to an old pattern, or underestimate the risk of using again.
You are having a terrible day and think, “I don’t care anymore.” What should happen before you make a big decision?
Pause and give yourself time before acting on the feeling.
True or false: Two people can take the same substance and have very different reactions.
True.
You have schoolwork, treatment, family problems, and something important due tomorrow. What is one way to make it feel less overwhelming?
Separate the problems and decide what needs attention first, what can wait, and where you need help.
“Someone can genuinely want to stop using and still miss parts of using.”
TRUE
Why:
People can have mixed feelings about change.
Substances may stop feeling as good as they did at first, but someone keeps using anyway. Name one reason why
Tolerance, habit, cravings, avoiding withdrawal, coping with emotions, or using to feel normal.
Your closest friend still uses. You care about the friendship, but being around them makes recovery harder. Name two ways you could handle it.
Set boundaries, change where you hang out, avoid being around them while they use, talk honestly, spend less time together, bring in other supports.
Why can mixing two or more substances be more dangerous and unpredictable?
Their effects can interact, become stronger, or affect breathing, judgment, heart rate, or consciousness in unexpected ways.
Someone embarrasses you in front of other people. Explain the difference between your first reaction and your best next move.
The first reaction is what you immediately feel like doing. The best next move considers what will actually help instead of making things worse.
“If someone returns to use once, all the progress they made in recovery is gone.”
MYTH
Why:
A setback can be serious, but skills, insight, progress, and lessons learned do not automatically disappear.