EARLY WARNING SIGNS
Which often shows up first before cravings?
A. Physical withdrawal
B. Mood or attitude changes
C. Legal consequences
D. Financial problems
B. Mood or attitude changes
- Relapse rarely starts with substance use. It usually begins with subtle emotional or behavioral shifts like irritability, withdrawal, or complacency.
Which thought pattern is most risky in recovery?
A. Curiosity
B. Self-reflection
C. Justification
D. Planning
C. Justification
Justifying small exceptions or “one-time” decisions often leads to boundary erosion and increased risk.
Why is being busy not the same as being stable?
A. Busy people relapse
B. Busyness can hide stress
C. Work is unhealthy
D. Structure causes burnout
B. Busyness can hide stress
Being busy doesn’t mean being emotionally regulated. Busyness can delay awareness of burnout or overwhelm.
Why is boredom risky in recovery?
A. It causes depression
B. It increases impulsivity
C. It means treatment isn’t working
D. It creates physical cravings
B. It increases impulsivity
Boredom creates discomfort and restlessness, which can lead to impulsive decision-making.
Support differs from dependence because support:
A. Solves problems for you
B. Encourages autonomy
C. Creates reliance
D. Removes responsibility
B. Encourages autonomy
Healthy support empowers individuals rather than replacing responsibility or independence.
Why can “everything is fine” be a warning sign?
A. It shows confidence
B. It signals denial or avoidance
C. It means recovery is stable
D. It reflects motivation
B. It signals denial or avoidance
When someone insists everything is fine, it can signal avoidance of uncomfortable emotions or a lack of honest self-assessment.
All-or-nothing thinking often leads to:
A. Increased insight
B. Consistency
C. Discouragement after setbacks
D. Emotional balance
C. Discouragement after setbacks
All-or-nothing thinking turns normal setbacks into perceived failures, which can lead to disengagement or giving up.
What makes stress dangerous in recovery?
A. It always leads to cravings
B. It reduces coping capacity over time
C. It means someone is failing
D. It affects emotions
B. It reduces coping capacity over time
Chronic stress exhausts emotional and cognitive resources, making it harder to respond effectively to triggers.
Coping differs from numbing because coping:
A. Avoids feelings
B. Eliminates stress
C. Addresses emotions directly
D. Distracts permanently
C. Addresses emotions directly
Coping involves acknowledging and managing emotions, while numbing avoids them temporarily.
Why do people often delay reaching out for support?
A. They don’t value support
B. They want to stay independent
C. Shame or fear of burdening others
D. They don’t know who to call
C. Shame or fear of burdening others
Many people avoid reaching out because they don’t want to feel weak, needy, or like a burden.
Which behavior quietly increases relapse risk?
A. Changing routines
B. Skipping support without replacement
C. Asking for help
D. Feeling tired
B. Skipping support without replacement
Support systems are protective. Removing them without replacing structure increases relapse risk even if someone feels “okay” initially.
“I’ve got this now” can be risky because it often leads to:
A. decreased structure
B. Reduced support
C. poor boundaries
D. Emotional awareness
B. Reduced support
“I’ve got this now” often leads to less accountability and fewer check-ins, increasing vulnerability over time.
Which boundary best supports recovery?
A. Saying yes to stay busy
B. Avoiding responsibility
C. Limiting work hours when needed
D. Isolating to reduce stress
C. Limiting work hours when needed
Boundaries protect recovery by preserving energy, rest, and time for support and self-care.
Irritability often signals:
A. Poor sleep
B. Underlying stress or anger
C. Motivation
D. Relapse
B. Underlying stress or anger
Irritability is often a surface emotion masking deeper stress, frustration, or unmet needs.
Which behavior most often signals early disconnection from support?
A. Asking fewer questions
B. Reducing communication without explanation
C. Changing support providers
D. Spending more time alone occasionally
B. Reducing communication without explanation
Gradual disengagement from communication often signals withdrawal before full isolation occurs.
Which change most reliably signals increased relapse risk?
A. Occasional low mood
B. Loss of curiosity about recovery
C. Increased appetite
D. Improved confidence
B. Loss of curiosity about recovery
When someone stops reflecting, checking in, or staying engaged, it often signals emotional disengagement — a common precursor to relapse.
Which thought is most concerning in recovery?
A. “I need support right now”
B. “I should slow down”
C. “This rule doesn’t really apply to me”
D. “I’m feeling overwhelmed”
C. “This rule doesn’t really apply to me”
This reflects entitlement or exception-making, which undermines boundaries and increases relapse risk.
Why does chronic stress increase relapse risk even without cravings?
A. It lowers motivation
B. It reduces emotional regulation over time
C. It causes boredom
D. It leads to isolation immediately
B. It reduces emotional regulation over time
Ongoing stress impacts the nervous system, increasing irritability, impulsivity, and emotional reactivity.
Why is emotional avoidance risky in recovery?
A. It decreases productivity
B. It delays emotional processing and buildup
C. It prevents relapse
D. It reduces stress long-term
B. It delays emotional processing and buildup
Avoidance postpones emotional work, allowing feelings to build until they surface in unhelpful ways.
Which behavior weakens a support system over time?
A. Asking for help early
B. Honest check-ins
C. Only reaching out during crisis
D. Regular communication
C. Only reaching out during crisis
Support systems weaken when used reactively instead of proactively.
Why do early warning signs often get missed?
A. They appear suddenly
B. They feel familiar and manageable at first
C. People choose to ignore them
D. They only occur during cravings
B. They feel familiar and manageable at first
Early warning signs are subtle and gradual. Because they feel familiar, people often underestimate their significance until patterns are established.
Which thinking pattern most often precedes boundary violations?
A. Curiosity
B. Planning ahead
C. Minimizing consequences
D. Self-reflection
C. Minimizing consequences
Minimization makes risky behavior feel acceptable by downplaying impact, which often precedes larger boundary violations.
Which situation creates the highest hidden risk for relapse?
A. Acute crisis with support
B. Predictable routine
C. Ongoing high stress with little recovery time
D. Low motivation
C. Ongoing high stress with little recovery time
Sustained stress without rest or support quietly increases relapse risk even when someone appears functional.
Which emotion is most commonly misidentified in recovery?
A. Sadness
B. Joy
C. Anger
D. Fear
C. Anger
Anger is often misidentified as stress, frustration, or irritation, making it harder to address directly.
Which factor best predicts long-term recovery success?
A. Motivation
B. Willpower
C. Consistent routines and support
D. Avoiding stress
C. Consistent routines and support
Accountability works best when expectations are shared, predictable, and collaborative.