🧠 Addiction & Recovery
During active addiction, problems often do this when they are ignored.
Accumulate
The first problem-solving step is to do this, one problem at a time.
Identify the problem
When many problems are waiting, decide which need attention first by doing this.
Prioritizing
Saying these three words is described as a sign of strength and maturity.
I need help
When choosing among solutions, list these two sides of each option.
Benefits and risks
This kind of thinking can keep a person from seeing the true nature of a problem.
Distorted thinking
This second step means understanding your contribution without blaming yourself.
Own the problem
In the packet’s example, this should be paid before a fifty-cent library fine.
A fifty-dollar police ticket
Sponsors, counselors, family, friends, and these meeting peers can support early recovery problem solving.
People at self-help meetings
Benefits can be rated from zero up to this positive number.
Positive ten
In early recovery, this important task may cause other problems to be temporarily neglected.
Avoiding substance use
In step three, include ideas that may not seem feasible and approaches not tried before.
List possible solutions
The proverb about a thousand-mile journey teaches that a large task begins this way.
With a single step
This technique helps people get unstuck by generating many possible solutions.
Brainstorming
Risks can be rated from zero down to this negative number.
Negative ten
Recovery does not automatically solve life problems, but it allows people to cope with them in this way.
A positive way
This step asks you to consider realistic short- and long-term results of each solution.
Describe what might happen
A complex legal problem can become manageable when handled this way.
Break it into smaller steps
During brainstorming, judgment about the quality of ideas should be handled this way.
Temporarily put aside
This type of objective should be considered along with long-term objectives.
Short-term objectives
This quality is necessary before effective problem solving can begin.
Willingness
The final two steps are to make a plan and do this after seeing the results.
Learn from the outcome
The packet advises solving only this many major problems at a time.
One
The packet recommends brainstorming with a trusted person for this length of time.
Fifteen minutes
When imagining outcomes, focus on likely results instead of fears, pessimism, or this unrealistic alternative.
Fantasy