Communication
Values and Role Development
Harm Directing Thoughts
Commitment to Change
Staying Clean and Avoiding Trouble
100
What are two different types of communication?
Verbal
Speaking
Writing
Tone
Non-verbal
Body Language
Gestures
Facial expressions
Touch
100
What are values?
Things that are worthwhile or that mean a lot to us. These become guiding principles of our life.
100
What are harm directing thoughts? How does this relate to substance use?
Harm-directing thoughts betray our values and morals and cause bad outcomes
Sometimes negative thinking is so deeply part of us that it forms the basis of our values, morals and beliefs about the world
Negative thoughts often become roadblocks to changing our actions and behaviors for the better
100
What are the stages of change?
Challenge: Deciding What to Change
Stage where we start thinking about change, what changes need to be made, information gathering, and self-awareness.
Commitment: Using Tools for Change
Stage where you have made the commitment to change, are making an effort to change, learning and using skills of thinking and acting, begin to exercise control and freedom over thoughts and actions
Ownership: Calling the Shots for Change
Stage where you begin to make changes because you want to and not because others (society, school, parents) want you to. At this stage you begin to feel strongly about not using substances and have developed skills to control thinking and behaviors. You are able to recognize risks of relapse and recidivism.
100
What is relapse?
when we return to old behaviors (including drugs and alcohol) after a period of abstinence or staying clean.
200
What is the difference between an opinion and a fact?
Facts have evidence, opinions are subjective
200
What are morals?
Morals are what we see as right or wrong
200
What is an example of a thought exaggeration or thinking error?
Exaggerations in what we think about and how we see the world set the stage for harm-directing thoughts
Expecting the worst - when we expect something negative from everything around us. “I know it won’t work, it never does.”
Putting oneself down - when we think the problem is within us and we constantly remind ourselves that. “I can’t do anything right.”
Jumping to conclusions - automatically assuming that bad things will happen, even when we don’t have proof that they will. “I know he’s going to hate me.”
Blaming oneself - assuming that everything that happens is our fault. “I deserved it.”
5. Having a negative view of the world - when we assume that the world is a horrible place. “There’s nothing to look forward to. It’s just another lousy day.”
200
How do you know you are ready for change?
You are opening to hearing feedback about your substance use and criminal behavior
You recognize your own problematic behavior and/or substance use
You talk about what you want to change and often believe that you can change
200
What is recidivism?
when we return to crime after a period of incarceration, probation, or parole.
300
What is active or reflective listening?
Active or Reflective Listening is a skill often used to build trust or deepen relationships.
Active listening involves putting aside our own beliefs and opinions and really listening to the other person.
Paying intentional attention to verbal and nonverbal communication, using open-ended questions to solicit information, and providing reflections on what has been said.
300
What are community norms?
Community Norms are rules and guidelines that we live and actions that are valued by a community
This is what people in a community believe are right and wrong
These norms can be formal (legal regulations) or informal (public opinion)
300
What are some ways you can control negative thinking?
Thought stopping - stopping the negative thought right away. Every time this thought occurs, be aware that you are thinking it and then stop it.
Positive thought planting - instead of just stopping the negative thought, replace it with a positive one.
3. Self-talk - when you become aware of a harm-directing thought, ask yourself why you are having this thought and what you can do to change or manage that thought
300
How do you know when you are ready for change?
You’ve decided to change for yourself not because “they” want you to change
You've identified target thoughts/actions
You're honest with yourself about if you’re ready or not for change
You understand that change doesn’t happen all at
once or easily
300
How are relapse and recidivism related?
Sometimes these things are related (commiting crimes related to drugs), but not always. Both relapse and recidivism occur in stages. Those stages begin with returning to thought habits or thinking patterns
400
What is the receiving feedback skill in communication?
Bonus: give an example
Reflecting back what we hear and observe about what they are communicating, without judgment
“I hear what you’re saying about _____”
“It sounds like you’re really frustrated about ____”
“I see that you’re angry about _____”
400
Describe a moral dilemma
Sometimes a conflict can occur between our values and our morals
This can happen when one of values goes against our morals or community norms
Example: One of your values is loyalty, but one of your friends asks you to rob a house with them, which goes against your moral against breaking and entering or the community norm of upholding the law
400
Describe this image and how it relates to substance use
The way we think controls how we feel and act, but we also have power over our thoughts
The first step to controlling our thoughts is to be aware of them
400
What are examples of high risk thinking?
Rule Violation Effect - once sober, we like to think of ourselves as ‘on the right track’ or in a positive manner. When we relapse, we tend to see ourselves in a negative light that can make us use more.
Self Blame - relapse can lead to feelings of weakness or powerlessness. When we buy into these feelings specifically, we are likely to continue using.