Real Behavior Patterns
Someone says they’re “fine” but stops sharing in group and keeps things surface-level
This behavior pattern is:
emotional avoidance (or shutting down)
Someone thinks, “I already messed up today, so it doesn’t matter what I do next”
This thinking trap is:
all-or-nothing thinking
Someone says “yes” to something they don’t want to do just to avoid conflict.
What is this pattern:
people-pleasing (or lack of boundaries)
You walk into a room and immediately look for this instead of the exit
coffee
You’re thinking about using but haven’t acted yet
reach out (call someone / get support)
You agree with feedback in group but make no changes outside of group
This pattern reflects:
passive compliance (or lack of follow-through)
Someone assumes they know what others are thinking about them without evidence
This thinking trap is:
mind reading
Someone continues engaging with people who support or encourage unhealthy behavior
What behavior pattern is this:
poor boundaries (or high-risk relationships)
You show up to a recovery club house and before you walk in the door, everyone is doing this?
Vaping, smoking or hanging out drinking coffee or energy drinks :)
You’re bored and your mind starts drifting toward old habits
change your environment (or find a healthy activity)
Someone knows their triggers, has coping skills, and support available-but consistently chooses not to use them in the moment
This behavior pattern is:
self-sabotage
Someone feels a craving and believes it will last forever if they don’t act on it.
This thinking trap is:
catastrophizing (or emotional reasoning)
Someone expects others to change so they can feel okay.
What behavior pattern is this:
lack of personal responsibility (or external control)
You say “I’m just tired” but deep down you know it’s actually this
HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
You just got called out in group and feel defensive
listen instead of reacting (or stay open)
Someone avoids difficult conversations and tells themselves “it’s not a big deal”
This pattern reflects:
minimization (or avoidance of conflict)
Someone only remembers the “good times” of using and forgets everything that went wrong
This thinking trap is:
selective memory (or romanticizing use)
Someone knows a relationship is harmful to their recovery but continues going back to it.
attachment to unhealthy relationships
You go to vent about someone and end up realizing you are this
part of the problem
You’re overthinking everything
get out of your head-take action-be of service
Someone feels uncomfortable emotions and immediately distracts (phone, TV, sleep, etc.)
This behavior pattern is:
emotional avoidance (or numbing behavior)
Someone thinks- No one understands me, I’m not like these people.
This thinking trap is:
terminal uniqueness
Someone says:
“I can handle being around it, it won’t affect me”
overconfidence in high-risk environments
You think you don’t need a meeting… which usually means this
I definitely need a meeting
You feel like doing the opposite of what you know is right
Do it Anyway