Time in Addiction
What is one thing many people spend a lot of time doing while actively using substances?
Obtaining drugs/alcohol, using, recovering from use, or thinking about using.
What is one benefit of having a daily routine in recovery?
Structure, accountability, reduced stress, or fewer opportunities for relapse.
Which should come first in recovery: recovery activities or entertainment?
Recovery activities.
Name one common modern-day time waster.
Social media, excessive phone use, gaming, or binge-watching TV.
How many hours are in a day?
24.
True or False: Addiction only affects a person's free time.
False. Addiction often affects work, family, sleep, and responsibilities.
What is one healthy activity people often make more time for in recovery?
Exercise, meetings, work, hobbies, family time, or self-care.
What does it mean to prioritize?
Deciding what is most important and focusing on it first.
What is procrastination?
Delaying or avoiding tasks that need to be done.
Name one area of life that should be balanced with recovery.
Family, work, health, recreation, spirituality, or friendships.
What emotion often results from having too much unstructured time in addiction?
Boredom, loneliness, anxiety, or restlessness.
What feeling can become challenging when someone first enters recovery and suddenly has more free time?
Boredom.
Name one "important but not urgent" activity that helps long-term recovery.
Exercise, job searching, therapy, healthy relationships, or goal setting.
True or False: Worrying about a problem is the same as solving it.
False.
Why is self-care important in recovery?
It improves physical and mental health and helps prevent burnout.
Name two important areas of life that are commonly neglected during active addiction.
Family, health, work, finances, education, friendships, or personal goals.
Why is free time important to manage carefully in recovery?
Unstructured time can increase cravings, boredom, and relapse risk.
If you have a job interview and a chance to sleep in, which should be prioritized?
The job interview
What is one way to reduce time spent on distractions?
Set limits, make a schedule, use timers, or prioritize tasks.
What is one sign that your life may be out of balance?
Stress, exhaustion, neglecting responsibilities, poor health, or lack of recovery activities.
Why do people sometimes describe addiction as a "full-time job"?
Because so much time is spent seeking, using, recovering, and dealing with consequences.
Recovery does not necessarily give us more time. What does it give us instead?
More control over how we use our time.
What is one consequence of consistently putting important tasks off?
Increased stress, missed opportunities, poor recovery progress, or negative consequences.
Name three things a person could do instead of spending hours scrolling on their phone.
Exercise, attend a meeting, read, call family, work on goals, or engage in a hobby.
Complete this sentence: "Time management is really about managing your ______."
Priorities.