Emotional Literacy & Core Emotions
This is the first emotion we experience before reactions show up.
What are primary emotions?
Substances are often used to avoid or numb this.
What are uncomfortable emotions or emotional pain?
These skills help survive emotional pain without substances.
What are distress tolerance skills?
This emotion often shows up when boundaries feel violated.
What is anger?
Healthy expression is assertive, respectful, and this.
What is clear or honest?
Emotions like anger or shame can be reactions to this.
What are the underlying or primary emotions (e.g., fear, sadness)?
Emotional awareness can reduce this relapse risk.
What is Emotion-driven substance use?
Distress tolerance focuses on getting through this moment.
What is the present moment or emotional crisis?
This emotion is linked to beliefs about being bad or unworthy.
What is shame?
Avoiding emotional expression can increase this risk.
What is emotional buildup, relapse risk, or impulsive behavior?
Identifying emotions helps reduce this impulsive response.
What are impulsive reactions or urges?
Unmanaged emotions often increase this urge.
What are cravings or urges to use?
Using these skills can lower emotional intensity.
What is the intensity of emotions or cravings?
This emotion can motivate repair when managed healthily.
What is guilt?
Expressing emotions clearly supports this relationship skill.
What is communication and boundary-setting?
Naming emotions increases this recovery skill.
What is emotional awareness and regulation?
Recognizing emotions early supports this choice.
What are healthier coping or recovery-oriented decisions?
Practicing distress tolerance reduces this risk.
What is the relapse risk?
Unprocessed emotions often lead to this behavior.
What is substance use, avoidance, or impulsive behavior?
Fear of judgment often blocks this behavior.
What is healthy emotional expression?
Awareness of emotions can change this behavior.
What are decision-making and coping responses?
Emotions influence decisions and behavior by
What is shaping thoughts, urges, and actions?
Tolerating emotions builds this recovery strength.
What is resilience and self-efficacy?
Coping skills can change the outcome of these emotions by
What is reducing intensity and supporting healthier responses?
Healthy expression supports long-term recovery by
What is reducing emotional suppression and relapse vulnerability?