Building a Support Network
These individuals encourage sobriety and support recovery goals without enabling substance use.
Who are healthy supports?
This helps reduce idle time, which can often lead to cravings, unhealthy thinking, or relapse.
What is a structured daily schedule or routine?
This type of self-talk focuses on strengths, progress, and possibilities rather than failures.
What is positive self-talk?
A person in this stage is aware of a problem but feels ambivalent about making changes.
What is Contemplation?
In the CBT Triangle, changing this can help change emotions and behaviors.
What are thoughts?
What is a cognitive distortion?
What is nicotine?
"I slipped once, so my recovery is ruined."
"A slip is a setback, not a failure. I can learn from it and continue my recovery."
This recovery activity provides accountability, shared experience, and encouragement from peers.
What is attending support meetings?
Scheduling these activities helps improve mood and reduces the urge to use substances.
What are healthy coping activities?
Replacing "I can't do this" with this phrase can increase confidence in recovery.
What is "I can handle this one step at a time"? or something similar!
This stage involves actively changing behaviors and working toward sobriety
What is Action?
Feeling anxious, sad, or angry are examples of this part of the CBT Triangle.
What are emotions (feelings)?
This organ is responsible for breaking down most drugs and alcohol in the body.
What is the liver?
"If I don't use, this stress will become unbearable."
"Stress is uncomfortable, but I have managed difficult situations before without using."
A person with long-term recovery experience who provides guidance and accountability.
What is a sponsor?
Recovery is strengthened when these are placed on the calendar rather than left to chance.
What are meetings and support groups?
Positive self-talk helps challenge these inaccurate and often negative thinking patterns.
What are cognitive distortions or thinking errors?
In this stage, a person does not yet see their substance use as a problem and has little intention to change.
What is Precontemplation?
Attending a meeting, calling a sponsor, or exercising are examples of this part of the CBT Triangle.
What are behaviors?
This neurotransmitter is heavily involved in the brain's reward system and is often released during substance use.
What is dopamine?
"My substance use isn't that bad compared to other people."
"My recovery is about the impact substances have on my life, not how I compare to others."
This relationship quality is essential when asking others for help during recovery.
What is trust?
This common relapse trigger often occurs when a person has too much unstructured time.
What is boredom?
Saying "I made a mistake, but I can learn from it" demonstrates this recovery mindset.
What is self-compassion?
During this stage, an individual begins making plans and taking small steps toward recovery
What is Preparation?
This type of thought often increases negative emotions and unhealthy behaviors.
What is negative self-talk?
Alcohol is classified as this type of drug because it slows activity in the central nervous system.
What is a depressant?
"I deserve to use because I've had a hard day."
"I deserve relief, but using will create more problems. I can choose a healthy coping skill instead."
Recovery support networks are strongest when they include sober people from multiple areas of this.
What is life (family, friends, work, community, and recovery groups)?
Scheduling helps individuals balance recovery, work, family responsibilities, and this important self-care component.
What is personal wellness?
Positive self-talk can reduce the intensity of this common relapse trigger.
What are cravings?
In this stage, a person focuses on sustaining recovery gains and preventing relapse.
What is Maintenance?
A person thinks, "I am a failure," feels hopeless, and isolates from others. This demonstrates the connection between these three components.
What are thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?
Cocaine and methamphetamine belong to this category of substances.
What are stimulants?
"I've relapsed before, so I'll never stay sober."
"Past relapses do not predict my future. Each day is a new opportunity to practice recovery."
Building a support network helps reduce this common relapse trigger caused by feeling disconnected from others.
What is isolation?
A written schedule can increase this by showing realistic goals that are completed throughout the day.
What is self-confidence or self-efficacy?
Repeating encouraging statements such as "I am capable of recovery" is known as this.
What is an affirmation?
The goal of the Stages of Change model is to help individuals increase this regarding their recovery journey.
What is readiness for change?
Challenging negative thoughts can help reduce cravings and strengthen this recovery outcome.
What is sobriety (or relapse prevention)?
This drug category includes heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine.
What are opioids?
"I only see my mistakes and failures."
"I have made mistakes, but I have also made progress and accomplished recovery goals."
Reaching out to support people before a crisis occurs helps strengthen this recovery factor.
What is accountability?
Research consistently shows that individuals with greater structure, routine, and engagement in recovery-supportive activities are more likely to maintain this.
What is long-term sobriety?
Instead of saying "I'll always be an addict," positive self-talk encourages focusing on this.
What is growth and recovery?
This stage is often considered the turning point where intentions become behaviors and individuals begin taking concrete steps toward recovery.
What is the Action Stage?
"I had a craving, so relapse is inevitable" is an example of this type of thinking error.
What is a cognitive distortion?
The adolescent brain continues developing until approximately this age.
What is 25 years old?
"Everyone thinks I'm weak because I need treatment."
"I cannot know what others are thinking. Seeking treatment is a sign of strength and commitment."