Name the Stage of Grief
In this stage, the user does not want to admit that they have an addictions or that their use is the cause of their life problems.
What is denial?
A
What is activating event?
Challenge the following: I can never relax and enjoy myself unless I have a drink.
What is:
- You can relax by: meditation, doing yoga, journaling, coloring, watching a movie, going for a walk, etc.
Name an example of an internal trigger.
What is:
- Fear, frustration, anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, insecurity, embarrassment, irritability, jealousy, boredom, exhaustion, loneliness, worry, grief, paranoia, hunger, etc.
In this stage, the user has acknowledged that they have an addiction and may ask "why me?" The user may feel that it is unfair that they cannot drink or drug like others can without developing an addiction. They may lash out at loved ones or those offering help.
What is anger?
B
What is beliefs?
Challenge the following: I am having worse problems with my spouse since I got sober, so I might as well start using again.
What is:
- Interpersonal problems are normal in any relationship, and especially in early recovery. Maybe we should have a couples counseling session to learn some communication skills.
True or false - methadone has a low abuse rate.
What is false?
In this stage, the user may experiment with drinking or using in difference capacities. Such as trying to cut back or control use.
What is bargaining?
C
What is consequences?
Challenge the following: My boss doesn't trust me anyway, so I might as well start using again.
What is:
- Trust takes time to rebuild after getting sober. I can understand why he doesn't trust me, but all I can do is continue to demonstrate why I am trustworthy now. Going back to using will only confirm his suspicions.
Needing more of the substance to achieve desired effect.
What is tolerance?
In this stage, the user realizes that any amount of use will lead them to spiral into an addictive cycle. They may feel sad, hopeless, scared, etc.
What is depression?
D
What is disputing beliefs?
Challenge the following: I'm not really part of the celebration if I don't participate in the champagne toast, I can have 1 glass so I don't feel left out.
What is:
- Drinking is not the only way to celebrate something. I can participate in the toast with a nonalcoholic beverage.
Name 3 ways to build social support.
What is:
- Attend to your existing relationships, increase community involvement, attend support groups, use professional support.
In this stage, the user has come to understand that they are an addict and that they cannot drink or drug in any capacity without doing so in excess. However, they are expanding their recovery network and learning that people can live successfully and joyfully in sobriety.
What is acceptance?
E
What is effective new beliefs?
Challenge the following: I know that I'm not at a stable methadone dose because I still feel withdrawal symptoms, but I don't have time to make a doctor's appointment to adjust it. I'll just use a little bit of heroin before bed since I'm not using to get high I'm just using to feel better.
What is:
- Using any amount for any reason is still using. This will just lead to using more and more, and returning to the cycle of addiction. My recovery is important enough to make time for a doctor's appointment.
An isolated incident of use without returning to old patterns of substance use.
What is a lapse?