problem solving skills for addiction recovery

How to Learn Problem Solving Skills in Addiction Recovery

Apr 20, 2022

Getting sober is only one problem to solve in addiction recovery. It may be why people who start treatment only focused on quitting drug use or drinking have trouble maintaining their sobriety. Problem solving skills are valuable tools to learn and develop during treatment. It serves far more purposes than helping you avoid a relapse. Let’s introduce some common barriers to recovery and share some benefits of learning problem solving skills during inpatient treatment to overcome them.

Some of the common problem solving barriers in recovery are denying there’s a substance use problem and looking for faults with any type of recovery program. Learning problem solving skills can be a valuable asset in getting and staying sober. Men can benefit from these skills by learning how to brainstorm solutions and reserve judgment about a potential solution until it’s tested. Experiential therapies help men struggling with substance use disorders learn effective problem solving skills while focusing on immersive physical activities, including drama therapy, art therapy, and outdoor adventures.

Common Problem Solving Barriers in Recovery

Many obstacles can interfere with your ability to start and sustain recovery. A negative attitude towards treatment is one of them. By identifying these barriers right away, you can learn how to minimize them and free yourself to accept help in your recovery journey.

1.Looking for faults with recovery

A person looking for faults with recovery might mention their own past attempts at getting sober. They might use other people’s inability to stay in recovery as an example too. Their focus is on what doesn’t work and they assume nothing will work for them.

2. Feeling a sense of self-pity

An excessive sense of unhappiness over your addiction troubles can be a barrier to staying in recovery. You might only focus on yourself and not see what you share in common with other people in recovery. You may mistakenly assume your situation is far worse than others or outside of your control.

3. Overreacting to comments or criticism

You may feel defensive when people suggest you need treatment. You may get aggressive verbally or physically. You may argue that your emotional state has nothing to do with your drinking or drug use. Stress and anxiety can accompany any conversation about the need for recovery help.

4. Denying there’s a problem

Telling yourself or others that nothing is wrong with your drinking or drug use creates a large obstacle for recovery efforts. Your sense of objectivity may disappear. You may ignore the evidence in your life, present in lost trust in relationships, inability to stay financially independent, loss of income, or health and legal consequences.

5. Seeing only one solution

Thinking of recovery as one stay in a 28-day program might be your perspective now. You don’t allow yourself to see a recovery solution as being composed of several elements. Your inability to accept other kinds of help or suggestions cuts off potential paths to sober living.

6. Ignoring mental health needs

You have tried treatment programs more than once, but believe there’s no connection to the state of your mental health. You may be aware of your depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress yet do nothing to address it. You may have unresolved trauma that affects your sleep, relationships, and anxiety levels, and blame those symptoms on other people.

The Benefits of Learning Problem Solving Skills for Men

Learning problem solving skills is essential for both recovery needs and for life, in general. The process should be simplified to help you take small steps towards a larger goal. You’ll want to start by naming the problem and being as specific as possible. If a large problem is made up of several smaller problems, take on the smaller problems one at a time.

Once you’ve isolated one problem to focus on, brainstorm to come up with a variety of possible solutions. You don’t have to do the work alone. Look to trusted friends and family members to help weigh the pros and cons of each solution.

When you’re informed about possible consequences, it’s important to decide how to solve the problem, follow through on the behavior necessary to put the decision into action, and take note of the outcome. The solution may not work as well as you imagined (or at all), but it’s still a valid attempt and something for you to learn from before trying again.

Practicing problem solving skills in addiction recovery provides numerous benefits. You learn how to approach a problem from different dimensions. You think about how large the problem is and how it might look to an outside observer. You imagine how life will look once the problem is solved.

Learning problem solving skills encourages people to remain open-minded to all potential solutions. You’ll get in the habit of letting ideas flow before immediately eliminating them. You may discover an idea evolves over time or gets combined with another idea to produce the solution you need.

Examining the potential outcomes of each solution is a useful way to assess positive or negative consequences before you make a decision. This helps you measure your choices differently. You can even begin to look at the probability of success from a specific solution.

Experiential Therapies Should Include Problem Solving Skills

Experiential therapy is an immersive approach to treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Beyond talking, a person in experiential therapy may participate in role-playing, acting out events of the past, music, poetry, arts and crafts, and more. By getting their body involved in the experience, it can open aspects of their emotional and psychological states.

Experiential therapies can be a promising setting for introducing problem solving skills in addiction recovery. Consider the potential problem solving available in the form of drama therapy. A person can recreate or re-enact a past conflict while in a safe setting. Once the conflict is introduced, they can learn how their response might have been improved so a better outcome was reached.

Art therapy is another form with the potential for problem solving skills development. A person is able to identify what challenges they face with a medium. They might have little or no experience with sculpting or pottery. They may need to ask for help with a drawing technique. A shortage or lack of material might prompt them to find a way to work around the issue.

Outdoor therapy introduces a person to adventures in the wilderness and serves as an excellent context for problem solving. Learning to adapt to changing environments or endure the physical demands of being on a trail tests problem solving skills in real-time. There may even be the presence of some kind of risk along the way that they’ll want to identify and overcome.

When people are given opportunities to engage with objects and their environments, this is much more in line with how their recovery needs will appear. Experiential therapy gives them a chance to practice these critical problem solving skills while under the supervision of a therapist. What they learn about their strengths and limitations can shape how they address their recovery work indefinitely.

How to Ensure Your Addiction Center Offers Experiential Therapies that are Right for you

Experiential therapies are a valuable part of any addiction treatment program, and finding out what an addiction center offers is easy. You can call one directly and ask about experiential therapies that include problem solving skills. Also, you can evaluate what an addiction center provides based on its website content.

Experiential therapy is designed to be engaging and comes in a variety of forms. At Origins Recovery Center, you’ll see them listed as recreational therapies and include a variety of physical activities, teamwork exercises, and improvisation. The focus is on the activity itself, rather than an individual person. This therapy allows even inhibited men to feel more comfortable with the therapeutic nature of a session and free themselves to remain actively involved.

Team-oriented games can help men develop good communication skills, an asset in solving problems as a group. They can also help men learn strategies to compete effectively and handle the emotions associated with a poor outcome. In some cases, they may be able to plan ahead while other activities prompt them to come up with solutions in the moment.

Origins Recovery Center is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration.

We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety.

For information on our programs, call us today:  866-875-1558 .

You May Also Like…

The guide to keeping your job before, during and after rehab.

Jun 22, 2024

In an Employer Brief the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...

Addiction Prevention: Essential Lesson Plans for K-12 Educators

Addiction is a pervasive issue affecting communities everywhere. Recent headlines have brought attention to the tragic...

  Guide to Addiction Prevention for Seniors

When the topic of substance abuse and addiction arises, the focus often shifts to teenagers and young adults. Public...

• Call: 888.488.5337
• Getting Started
• Insurance & Payment Options
• Suboxone Treatment
• Case Management
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Outpatient Detox
• Understanding Opioid Addiction
• Helpful Links
• Opioid Medication Strength
• All Locations
• PENNSYLVANIA
• WEST VIRGINIA
• Get Help Today
• Provider Referral

How to Improve Problem-Solving Skills in Recovery

• Resources /
• Blog / How to Improve Problem-Solving Skills in Recovery
• Telemedicine Appointment for Existing Patients
• Schedule Prepaid Suboxone Therapy
• Schedule Suboxone Therapy - Pay at the Treatment Center
• Medication Request
• Inquiry Form
• Recommend a Friend
• Your First Visit
• Group Recovery Meeting Locator
• Free and Low-Cost Housing Solutions

An important skill set emphasized in substance use counseling is re-learning how to problem solve more effectively to make the journey towards long-lasting recovery smoother. Without these valuable tools, people are more likely to struggle through treatment and have difficulty fighting relapse. Several key steps are crucial to adapting better problem-solving skills that should be exercised often and implemented when necessary.

Common Recovery Pitfalls that Require Problem-Solving

Everyone’s journey through treatment is unique, and people face various daily challenges that require fixing to ensure success. The most common barriers are:

• Emotional dysregulation
• Relationship problems
• Financial strife
• Untreated mental illness
• Trouble adjusting to new routines

These issues aren’t exclusive to addiction recovery. Still, those early in the treatment process may have difficulty handling these matters because they previously depended on substances to help them cope. Thankfully, learning how to approach these uncomfortable circumstances, with the support and guidance of loved ones and counselors, is half the battle.

1. Identify the problem

The first basic step to taking on a problem is to identify and acknowledge all its components clearly. This can help ease some anxiety surrounding an issue, making it easier to face with a clear head. Once the problem has been identified, the urge to push it aside or procrastinate dealing with it becomes less desirable, which is vital to making changes towards a resolution. 

2. Break it down into smaller parts

When a problem feels overwhelming because it encompasses a handful of more intricate issues, the best course of action is to break things down into smaller pieces and solve them independently. Sometimes this requires sitting down with a pen and paper and making a list or a web showing how these parts work together, which will help clarify what needs to be done first in order for the next part of the big problem to be remedied.

3. Consider the consequences

Mapping out the possible outcomes of how a problem will be solved can train the brain to think in terms of foresight and alleviate the urge to react impulsively. Solution A for a problem can potentially lead to outcomes 1, 2 or 3 in terms of desirability. This method of mapping out potential answers also allows for “backup plans” to be in place in case the first solution doesn’t go well. Not only does this exercise temper expectations more realistically, but it also helps people brace for the unexpected, giving them a boost of confidence.  

4. Seek help

There are times when a problem truly feels insurmountable, and some expert or seasoned advice is needed. Listening to other people’s stories of overcoming a similar issue can help spark ideas on approaching the matter more efficiently. Although it’s tempting to outsource problem-solving to someone who appears to be more capable, it’s important to take advice and apply it to the situation rather than seek others to take it on.

AppleGate Recovery provides life-changing medication-assisted treatment for those looking to overcome addiction. The comprehensive outpatient programs available allow people to receive specialized professional care for substance use disorder in a flexible and confidential office format that puts recovery in their hands. To learn more about these programs and how outpatient MAT works at AppleGate Recovery, fill out an online form or call a local office today and speak with knowledgeable and compassionate staff. 

Customize Consent Preferences

• Verify your benefits
• Get help now: (984) 204-1106

• For families
• Program overview
• Resident life
• Academics & career
• Clinical care
• About Raleigh
• Recovery management
• Experiential programming
• Recovery coaching
• Meth in North Carolina still a problem
• North Carolina overdose spikes
• Teen drug use
• Signs of drug use in young adults
• Outpatient rehab for students
• Drug use in North Carolina high schools
• Alcohol poisoning and binge drinking
• addiction trends in the US
• Dangers of mixing alcohol
• How to hold an intervention in addiction
• Suicide and addiction
• Self-efficacy in addiction treatment
• Tolerance vs. Dependence vs. Addiction
• Understanding trauma and addiction
• ADHD and addiction
• Anxiety and addiction
• Bipolar disorder and addiction
• Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD)
• Depression and addiction
• EMDR therapy for PTSD and addiction
• High functioning anxiety in students
• OCD and addiction
• Schizophrenia and addiction
• IOP for professionals
• Executive functioning skills for recovery
• Learning humility in recovery | 12 steps
• Addiction stigma after treatment
• Ways to prevent relapse in addiction
• Life skills for addiction recovery
• Treating the whole person in recovery
• How mentorship helps in recovery
• Learning accountability in rehab
• Finding a job after rehab
• CBT therapy for addiction treatment
• Holistic medicine healing for addiction
• Mindfulness in rehab
• Toxic masculinity
• Veteran collegiate recovery programs
• Alcohol guide
• Benzodiazepine guide
• Cocaine guide
• Fentanyl guide
• Heroin guide
• Ketamine guide
• Morphine sulfate guide
• Oxycodone guide
• Percocet guide
• Tramadol guide
• Xanax guide
• Sober Living Application

life skills for recovery after addiction treatment

What are life skills.

Life skills are incredibly important to develop after addiction treatment. Not only will these skills help individuals succeed in daily life, but they are necessary for living an independent life.

Life skills cover a broad area. These skills are important for performing nearly every task in daily life. They can be as mundane as learning how to tie a shoelace to as essential as proper communication and interpersonal skills. Typically, life skills are defined in six key areas. According to the World Health Organization, these areas are like skills include:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Creative and critical thinking
• Problem-solving and effective decision making
• Self-awareness
• Assertiveness and self-control
• Resilience and the ability to cope

While this list is not an exhaustive list of skills, all these traits are important to be able to live independently and be successful during recovery. To avoid relapse, it is important to take all these skills into account and reflect on one’s strengths and challenges. It may also be helpful to talk to a mental health professional to identify any lagging life skills. 1

Why Are Life Skills Important for Recovery?

Although refraining from using substances is the most obvious step in addiction recovery, there are several other steps that the individual will have to go through to avoid relapse and proceed with the recovery process.

To fully recover from an addiction, the individual must reflect on the past issues that may have impacted their addiction from the start. Once these life skills and potential issues have been identified, the individual can attend therapy or work with a mental health professional to start to re-develop these skills.

• Personal life skills after treatment: After treatment, individuals must learn to develop personal life skills, such as communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills. These skills are important for repairing past relationships, maintaining past relationships, and developing new relationships. 2
• Self-care: While it is a buzzword, self-care is one of the most important activities that anyone can partake in to feel good. Self-care can be as simple as going for a daily walk or taking some time to oneself, but the key is that the activity is something that the individual enjoys doing.
• Having daily routines: Daily routines can help maintain life skills. For that reason, it is important to establish every team that works with an individual schedule and make sticking to it a priority.
• Managing stress: Because stress is one of the leading causes of relapse, it is important to use coping mechanisms to properly manage stress. 2 Additionally, an individual must be able to identify when they are feeling stressed and locate potential triggers to properly manage that stress. 3
• Emotion control: Emotional control is important to maintain not only relationships but oneself. Substance use harms executive functioning, which is an individual’s ability to control impulses and manage themselves. It will take time to regain control of one’s emotions, but self-care and stress management are great ways to do so. 4

Important Life Skills Needed After Rehab

While many life skills involve being able to cope with stressful emotions and manage one’s stress, other life skills involve tasks that help the individual live independently and without the assistance of others. Some of the other life skills that will likely be needed after rehab include the following:

• Finding a Job: Finding employment post-rehab can be difficult. However, some rehabilitation centers will help in applying for jobs and resume help.
• Managing Your Finances: Managing one’s money is important to achieving independence. Some of the aspects of managing one’s finances include opening a big account, saving money, paying off debt, and learning to live on a budget.
• Home maintenance: It is important to maintain one’s home. Home maintenance does not necessarily mean learning plumbing or electrical work but simply that the individual must learn how to clean a home and make sure that all appliances and systems are operating safely.
• Cooking: Cooking and understanding nutrition are important skills for living a healthy lifestyle.

Life Skills for Recovering Addicts

While many treatment centers will offer group discussions and treatment sessions that discuss life skills, the recovering individual must understand the best ways to remain in recovery and avoid relapse. When it comes down to the definition, life skills training has its base in self-care and recognizing potential triggers.

Avoid Risky Situations

Because relapse can occur if the recovering individual sees people or passes places associated with past substance use, that individual should avoid any tempting or risky situations that could compromise their recovery.

Develop Coping Mechanisms

Many people first turned to drugs or alcohol to cope with stressful life events or situations. Someone in recovery should figure out which coping mechanisms work for them. The coping mechanisms could be as simple as taking a time to participate in deep breathing or removing oneself from the situation to go for a walk outside.

Manage Stress and Emotions

Figuring out how to identify one’s emotions and interpret them is a difficult thing to achieve. However, when someone is recovering from substance abuse, they can reflect continuously on their emotions and how emotions impact their behavior. Once the emotions have been identified, is easier to employ a coping mechanism and figure out a way to remove the stressor.

Develop a Routine

Developing a healthy routine can be a great way to assist in recovery. By sleeping well at night, maintaining a healthy diet, getting physical exercise, and employing self-care, the individual may be able to reduce their likelihood of a relapse.

Sober Living Can Include a Set of Life Skills

Living in a stable, alcohol and drug-free environment can be a crucial step to recovery. However, this environment can be difficult to find. Many individuals choose to go to a sober living facility as part of their recovery. Sober living is a safe place where an individual lives with other people who are also recovering from substance addiction.

Living in Recovery

Recovering from substance use addiction is more than simply abstaining from using alcohol or drugs. Recovery requires continuous growth, change, and an improved sense of self. Additionally, living in recovery means that the individual needs to continuously reflect on their actions as well as their impacts. It is vital to note that living in recovery is for life. It is not something that the individual will simply stop, it is a continuous process. 5

Being Able to Ask for Help

Being able to ask for help is an important life skill itself, and it is also a great way to help avoid relapse. Identifying triggers and relapse warning signs is one step closer to managing substance abuse, but it is not complete with being able to ask for help. Additionally, no one should be afraid to ask for help, and living in a sober living facility may give the individual the courage to reach out if they need more support.

Accepting Personal Responsibility

Even for individuals who do not struggle with substance use, accepting personal responsibility is a difficult task. As part of self-awareness, being able to accept personal responsibility for actions and reflect on the reasons for those actions as well as the impact that the actions had on others is an incredibly important skill that is needed for recovery. 6

Substance Abuse Support Groups

Partaking in substance abuse support groups is a great way to help promote life skills and self-care. Because the members of the group are engaging in discussion and talking about positive ways to manage addictive behavior, the use of groups not only builds social skills and comradery but helps support an individual as they maneuver the recovery process. 7

Substance Abuse Group Topics to Discuss

Substance abuse groups participate in large group discussions where many people share their experiences and ideas. Some of the life skills topics that may be discussed during substance abuse groups include:

• The importance of nutrition
• The importance of sleep period
• Discussing triggers and coping strategies
• Physical exercise
• The importance of sleep
• The importance of self-care

Substance Abuse Group Activities

By participating in various collectivities, group members can learn various life skills to help them cope with their experiences in rehab, recovery, and throughout their addiction. Some of the activities that groups may participate in include: 8

• Making a list of bad habits
• Participate in role-playing and mock interviews
• Playing charades to express oneself with body language
• Writing down a stream of consciousness
• Make lists of activities that one could do instead of using substances

Group Therapy

Group therapy is where several individuals who share an experience or disorder come together to discuss the challenges that they have faced and the ways they find work well to cope with whatever they’re facing in life. Group therapy can help its members develop social skills and work on communication.

Individuals need to be taught life skills to prevent further substance use or to give them the skills to avoid harmful decisions that impact not only their lives but those around them. Life skills training is an incredibly important aspect of recovery and should be a part of all treatment plans.

This information should not replace a visit to a doctor or treatment center. If you are concerned that you or a loved one might be suffering from addiction to multiple substances, ask for professional help today.

• https://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/life-skills.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4050678/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/why-did-i-relapse-21900
• https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057870/
• https://www.unicef.org/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/074054729390003K
• https://twodreams.com/dream-journal/142-substance-abuse-group-therapy-activities/

Article contents

Insurance coverage for treatment.

Take the next step towards a better life.

We bring passion, energy, and a new perspective to addiction treatment. Our dedicated team is ready to answer your questions

• Transitional living
• Outpatient treatment

©2021 Green Hill Recovery All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Site Map

• Uncategorized

The Ultimate Guide to Developing Effective Recovery Skills

Table of Contents

Developing recovery skills is a crucial aspect of achieving lasting sobriety. Having these skills allows people to face and overcome various challenges in life. While each person’s journey to recovery is unique, there are certain key skills that can significantly enhance the likelihood of success.

Use this guide to learn the importance of developing effective recovery skills and obtain practical tips to incorporating them into your own path to sobriety . Whether you are new to recovery or have been in treatment for a while, this guide is a valuable resource.

The Role of Recovery Skills in Overcoming Addiction

Overcoming addiction requires more than abstaining from drugs or alcohol. It necessitates a fundamental shift in mindset and the development of new coping mechanisms. This is where recovery skills come into play. They provide individuals with the tools they need to navigate the challenges and triggers of daily life without resorting to substance use.

Here are some strategies that can assist you in effectively dealing with the various situations and emotions you may encounter on your journey to sobriety. These skills can range from practical techniques for managing cravings to broader abilities like emotional regulation and problem-solving.

Developing effective recovery skills is like building a strong foundation for your sober life. The more skills you have in your toolkit, the better equipped you’ll be to face the ups and downs of the recovery process. Developing these skills requires time and practice, but the end result is priceless.

Essential Recovery Skills for Lasting Sobriety

1. Self-awareness and Acceptance

Self-awareness is the ability to acknowledge and comprehend one’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions. In the context of recovery, it means being honest with yourself about the impact of addiction on your life and having the willingness to make positive changes. Self-acceptance goes hand in hand with self-awareness, as it involves embracing who you are, including your strengths and weaknesses .

To develop these skills, consider incorporating practices like mindfulness or journaling into your daily routine . These can help you become more attuned to your thoughts and emotions. One should try to recognize the specific things or situations that cause negative emotions, behaviors, or reactions, and then come up with ways to handle or cope with them effectively.

2. Effective Stress Management

It is a crucial skill for recovery as stress is a common trigger for substance use. It involves finding healthy ways to cope with and reduce stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, or engaging in enjoyable activities.

When you’re in recovery, it’s essential to have a plan for managing stress. This plan can include a variety of strategies, from choosing self-care practices to do regularly to asking for support from loved ones, and even making changes to your environment to reduce stressors. The key is to find what works best for you and to be proactive in addressing stress before it becomes overwhelming.

3. Building a Sober Support Network

Recovery is not a solitary journey. It’s essential to surround yourself with a sober support network, which can include family, friends, and others who are also committed to a drug- or alcohol-free lifestyle . Developing this network is a valuable recovery skill because it provides you with encouragement, accountability, and understanding.

When you’re in recovery, having a strong support system can make all the difference. These are the people who will be there for you during the ups and downs, offering a listening ear, words of encouragement, and sometimes a gentle nudge in the right direction. But building a sober support network isn’t just about finding the right people; it’s also about being willing to ask for help and leaning on others when you need it.

4. Coping Mechanisms and Refusal Skills

Developing effective recovery skills is like preparing yourself for different situations that may test your commitment to sobriety. Coping mechanisms and refusal skills are two essential tools in your recovery toolkit.

There are strategies you can use to navigate challenging emotions or situations without turning to drugs or alcohol. Some common coping mechanisms include seeking support, engaging in healthy distractions, and practicing relaxation techniques. Refusal skills, on the other hand, are your ability to say “no” to substances confidently and assertively, even in the face of temptation.

5. Goal Setting and Planning

Goal setting and planning can provide a sense of purpose and direction in recovery . When you set specific, achievable goals for yourself, it gives you something to work towards and can help you stay motivated.

To make the most of this recovery skill , it’s important to set goals that are realistic and meaningful to you. Break them down to small steps and then create a plan of action. Remember, goal setting is a personal process, so don’t feel pressured to compare your progress to others. The important thing is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

6. Improved Problem-solving Skills

Sobriety is a journey that often presents its fair share of challenges . That’s why having strong problem-solving skills is a valuable recovery skill. When you can effectively navigate and overcome obstacles, you reduce the risk of automatically using substances as a way to cope.

Improved problem-solving skills can be developed through practice . When faced with a problem, take the time to assess the situation, consider different solutions, and their potential outcomes. Do not hesitate to seek help from your support network or a counselor, as they may offer a fresh perspective or guidance.

7. Regular Self-care

Self-care is a vital recovery skill as it involves prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s all about taking time for yourself and doing activities that relax and recharge you.

When you’re in recovery, self-care is non-negotiable. It’s like giving yourself the time and attention you need to stay strong and focused. Self-care can be done in different ways, such as getting enough sleep and eating well. The key is to make self-care a priority and to be intentional about carving out time for it in your schedule.

Developing recovery skills and life skills in addiction recovery is crucial for a successful recovery journey . Life skills in recovery are about building a fulfilling life that makes substance use less appealing. The development of life skills for recovering addicts is an ongoing process that requires practice and commitment.

Life skills activities for adults in recovery can provide practical experience in applying life skills in various situations.

You’ll Have a Safe Haven at Haven House Recovery

Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction? Addiction recovery in Clarksville, TN is possible through Haven House Recovery Center . We understand the importance of developing effective recovery skills and problem-solving skills in addiction recovery . We provide personalized treatment plans that include life skills activities for adults in recovery to help you on your journey. Let us give you a safe haven as you heal and recover.

Newsletter Signup

Discipleship training.

“The teaching of the wise is a Fountain of Life, turning a person from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14 NIV

Recent Posts

Exploring Addiction Recovery Methods at Nashville’s Haven House   

Top Addiction Recovery Services in Nashville, TN

 Why Florida Is the Best for Recovery   

Post categories, get the help you need to recover.

APPLY FOR OUR CHRISTIAN-BASED 12 STEP ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM

• Search Facilities
• How to Choose the Right Rehab
• Facility Type
• Person In Recovery
• Substance Type
• Region / State
• Recovery Programs
• Mental Health Specialty
• Addiction Treatment
• Alcohol Abuse
• Dual Diagnosis
• Signs of Addiction
• Family & Friends
• Healthy Living
• In the News
• Kids & Drugs
• Personal Stories
• Relationships
• Sober Living
• Christian Rehab
• Counseling & Therapy
• Getting Help
• Non-12 Step
• Treatment Center Information
• Club/Street Drugs
• Depressants
• Designer Drugs
• Hallucinogens
• Opiates/Opioids
• Other Drugs
• Prescription Drugs
• Recovery Hero
• Entertainment

Treatment Facilities

• Addiction Library
• Recovery Blog

Problem-Solving Skills for Recovering Addicts

Sober recovery expert author.

For those new to recovery, problem-solving is certainly not a well-honed skill. There are two main problem-solving techniques used by people active in addiction. The first technique is to use alcohol, drugs, or destructive behavior as a coping mechanism for the problem at hand. The second problem-solving technique is to simply ignore the problem while hoping it improves or goes away.

Well, in recovery those tactics do not work so well.

Strategies For Success

Let’s look at a different strategy that may afford us some success:

1. Identify the problem. The first thing we want to do is to get a clear picture of what exactly is the problem. For me, it always helps to put it down in writing. It’s also a good idea to ask for help from others in order to identify the problem. This provides a realistic perspective once you’ve determined what the problem is.

2. Once the problem is clearly identified, you must decide whether, in fact, you want to do something about it. Having a clear understanding of the problem facing you increases the likelihood of you taking action and finding a resolution.

3. When you have identified the problem and resolved to do something about it, ask yourself if the timing is right. Are you ready to do something about it now? When would it be appropriate to take action?

4. Brainstorm solutions. Here’s where we want to think of possible solutions and not be restricted by practicality or perceived limitations. This is a brain dump. Now is the time to formulate the plan of action which will most likely produce the desired result.

5. Implement the action. You can have the most brilliant solution but if no action is taken to implement the plan, it is useless. Making a decision is not the same as taking action.

The last thing to do is follow up on the problem and ensure that it’s resolved in a satisfactory way. This is easier said than done, but part of attaining personal growth during recovery is handling chaos and dealing with previously ignored problems.

In the end, problem-solving skills are vital to recovery and, ultimately, sober living .

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can explore our directory of rehabilitation facilities or call 800-772-8219 to speak with a treatment specialist.

More in Sober Living

• Our Approach
• Our Mission: Providing Holistic Addiction Treatment in California
• Our Location: A California Addiction Treatment Center
• Photo Gallery
• Bless A Life 2021
• We Walk for HOPE 5K
• Prescription Drugs
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Group Sessions
• Individual Therapy for Addiction
• Trauma Informed Therapy
• Medication Management
• Addiction Family Therapy
• Types of Drugs
• Addiction and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
• Antidepressant Addiction and Abuse
• Addiction to Pain Medication- Finding Alternatives
• Are Inhalants Addictive
• Bath Salt Addiction and Abuse
• Barbiturate Overdose Symptoms
• Coma Due to Drug Intoxication
• Dangers of Sleeping Pills Addiction
• Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with Certain Prescription Drugs
• Dangers of Vaping
• Deadly Common Drug Combinations
• Does Kratom Addiction Exist? Truths and Myths
• Marijuana Addiction Treatment in San Diego
• Where Do I Find the Best AA and NA Near Me
• Drug Addiction
• What is the Common Comorbidity in Substance Abuse?
• How Is Depression and Addiction Related?
• Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Panic Attacks
• Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Disorders
• The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction
• What Is a Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Program?
• Where to Find a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

10 Key Coping Skills for Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a lifelong process that can, at times, be exhausting, frustrating, overwhelming, stressful, and lonely. But there are skills you can develop to make rehabilitation a more positive and rewarding experience. Luckily, you can learn many of these skills while enrolled at a drug rehab center.

Beginning again, changing your habits, and restructuring your entire life isn’t easy, but developing these 10 coping skills can make addiction recovery and the healing process less challenging while helping you avoid relapse as well.

#1. Learn to Relax in Any Situation

Relaxation and stress relief are two of the main reasons people start using drugs and alcohol. But if you learn to ease tension on your own, you won’t need to rely on substances like drugs and alcohol to help you calm down. Fortunately, therapeutic practices like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy can teach you techniques that can help you stay centered in all types of situations. As you develop and master new ways to de-stress, you may find it easier to overcome addiction challenges and maintain long-term sobriety. Some common ways to lessen stress include:

• Deep breathing
• Getting outside and enjoying nature
• Listening to music
• A warm bath
• Drinking green or herbal tea
• Writing or making a list of things that bring you joy

#2. Wait to Respond

Using drugs and misusing alcohol can cause you to act impulsively. In fact, the longer you use substances for recreational purposes, the more reactive your behavior can become. Addiction challenges can cause you to lie, steal, burst out in anger, react aggressively, and act without thinking. But these types of rushed decisions usually yield painful results. Learning to wait before you respond can help you manage your impulses and make more rational and informed decisions. This skill becomes especially important during stressful or intense situations. When you feel rushed or pressured to make a decision, take a moment to breathe and clear your mind. Choosing to think and breathe before you react can help you address issues with a level head. Using this skill in everyday life can help you maintain relationships, manage emotions, change habits, and even keep your job.

#3. Be Honest with Yourself & Others

When you’re grappling with drug and alcohol addiction, lying can become a habit by default. Before you committed to recovery, you may have lied about using your substance of choice, for example. You probably lied about the effects the drug or alcohol had on your body, too. To keep using, you had to continue deceiving others — and yourself — again and again and again. As you recover from addiction challenges, you have to stop lying and develop a habit of telling the truth instead. Being fearlessly honest is one of the most important skills you need to master for successful long-term addiction recovery. Be honest with yourself and others. If you’re mad at a family member and unable to forgive, tell them. If you’re dealing with intense cravings, ask your sponsor, counselor, or sober community for support. Regardless of the situation, making the decision to be honest will help maintain your sobriety.

#4. Mindfulness & Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation can help you work through difficult thoughts and emotions, focus on the present moment, and observe your internal feelings and accept them without judgment or negativity. In fact, science has proven that mindfulness and meditation help relax the mind and revealed that the practices can have positive effects on your physical body as well.

Some of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation include:

• Better self-control
• A more flexible approach to life
• A higher degree of emotional intelligence
• Improved mental clarity and concentration
• An increased level of kindness and compassion
• Reduced stress and anxiety

Recovering from addiction can be a worrisome and stressful process, but mindfulness and meditation can help you manage and balance such agonizing and distressing moments .

#5. Keep Busy

Before you decided to quit using drugs and alcohol, you probably spent a lot of time finding, buying, and using your substance of choice. Now that you’re working to recover from addiction, you need to replace those old habits with new ones. Do things you’ve put off. Develop new skills. Learn a new language. Travel to new places. Dance, read, write, hike, or play sports. Keep your schedule filled with healthy and positive activities that will uplift your spirit and keep your emotional well-being intact.

#6. Keep a Daily Journal and Gratitude List

Writing can be a great way to express, release, and work out any thoughts and feelings you may be dealing with. Seeing your thoughts on paper can also help you deal with your emotions quicker and more efficiently. In addition to that, keeping a daily journal is a good way to take an inventory of what’s happening in your life, acknowledge ways you can improve, and list the things you’re grateful for. All in all, developing this skill can help you relax and maintain a positive attitude as you work to change your life.

#7. Exercise Regularly & Live an Active Lifestyle

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which help you feel good and stay happy. Physical activity also helps relieve stress, diminishes feelings of depression, and helps get rid of the chemicals and toxins your body has absorbed from drug and alcohol abuse. You should also make it a habit to treat yourself to a nutritious satisfying meal after an invigorating workout.

#8. Build a Sober Support Network

You shouldn’t be alone as you recover from addiction. Peer support is essential. Don’t hesitate to build a healthy, supportive, and sober network of people. A strong network of friends can help you stay on track and will be there to catch you when you fall. Take advantage of the social skills you learn in addiction treatment and be open to new relationships that will support your recovery journey.

#9. Avoidance of Triggers

Sobriety is about building a new life and creating new habits. Learning to avoid triggers is a key skill for a successful recovery . You need to stay away from situations, places, emotions, and people who make you sad, angry, or afraid. Don’t be afraid to protect your sobriety by avoiding similar high-risk situations.

#10. Help Others

As you become stronger and more resilient, help others who are struggling with substance use challenges. When you help other people, you feel good about yourself, which is one of the best defenses against substance use and relapse. Realizing you are capable of doing great things can help decrease high blood pressure, relieve anxiety and depression, ward off chronic pain like headaches and migraines, and lengthen your life, too. A great way to help another addict is to become a sponsor in a 12-step program yourself.

Helping You Develop Skills for Long-Term Sobriety

At Genesis Recovery, we strive to help restore lives broken by addiction. Our treatment programs combine the 12-step process, clinical science, community, and holistic and multi-faceted practices to reinvigorate your soul. But we don’t stop there. Our dedicated staff members work with you to develop the skills you need for long-term sobriety.

Contact us today at 619-797-7319 if you or a loved one are struggling with addiction challenges and are searching for a drug rehab center that will truly meet your recovery needs.

Recent Posts

Is marijuana addictive, what happens when an alcoholic starts drinking again, tips for a successful dry january, what do i do for a heroin overdose, why goal-setting will be more powerful than resolutions in 2021, how to have a difficult conversation about addiction with your loved one, we're here to help. contact us today..

• Our Clinical Staff
• Client Treatment Journey
• Visit Our Facility
• Fair Lawn, NJ (North Jersey)
• Asbury Park (South Jersey)
• Pennsylvania
• Washington DC
• West Virginia
• South Dakota
• North Carolina
• Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Program
• Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment Program
• Cocaine Rehabilitation Treatment Program
• Substance Abuse Treatment Program
• Suboxone Treatment Program
• Subutex Medication Program
• Buprenorphine Treatment Program
• Methadone Prescription Program
• Naltrexone Prescription Program
• Acamprosate Medication Program
• Disulfiram Medication Program
• Naltrexone Medication Program
• Drug Addiction Treatment Program
• Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program
• Substance Abuse Addiction Treatment Program
• Rehabilitation Treatment Program
• Addiction Treatment Program
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
• Inpatient Addiction Treatment Program
• Partial Care Program
• Aftercare Program
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
• Group Therapy Program
• Individual Therapy Program
• Family Therapy Program
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
• Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program
• Marijuana Detox Program
• Meth Detox Program
• Heroin Detox Program
• Cocaine Detox Program
• Xanax Detox Program
• Benzodiazepine Detox Program
• Pregnant Women Drug Detox Program
• Drug Treatment Program
• Rehabilitation Program
• LGBT Addiction Treatment Program
• Veterans Addiction Treatment Program
• Student Addiction Treatment Program
• Criminal Justice Addiction Treatment Program
• Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
• Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
• Partial Care Mental Health Treatment
• Online Mental Health Treatment
• Adolescent Mental Health Treatment
• Mental Health Therapy
• Anxiety Disorders Treatment
• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
• Behavioral Disorders
• Eating Disorder
• OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Post Partum Depression
• ADHD Medication
• Anxiety Medication
• Depression Medication
• Insomnia Medication
• OCD Medication
• PTSD Medication
• Behavioral Therapy
• Extended Care
• Psychitaric Evaluations
• Free Addiction Treatment Evaluation
• Tricare Insurance
• Insurance Verification
• Addiction Treatment
• Alcohol Rehab Coverage
• Drug Rehab Coverage
• Aetna Drug Rehab
• Aetna Alcohol Rehab
• Aetna Health Insurance-NJ
• Addiction Therapists That Accept Aetna
• Suboxone Doctors That Take Amerigroup
• Cigna Drug Rehab Coverage
• Cigna NJ Insurance
• Cigna Mental Health Coverage
• Cigna Therapy Coverage
• Humana Alcohol Rehab Coverage
• Humana Drug Rehab Coverage
• United Healthcare Community Plans
• United Healthcare Addiction Treatment plan
• AmeriHealth Rehab Coverage
• MHN Mental Health Coverage
• AllWays Health
• Addiction Therapists That Accept Health Net Insurance
• Health Net Substance Abuse Program
• ValueOptions
• Beacon Health Drug Rehab Coverage
• Oscar Health
• NJ FamilyCare(Medicaid)
• Optum Health NJ
• Medicare Supplement Plan
• Medicare Rehab Coverage
• Medicare Drug Rehab Coverage
• Medicare Alcohol Rehab Coverage
• WellCare NJ
• Magellan Health NJ
• Nursing Homes
• Workplace Addiction Treatment Program
• Referring Professionals
• Schedule A Patient
• Addiction Treatment Resources
• Addiction Statistics
• Addiction Statistics 2024

10 CBT Group Activities Essential for Substance Abuse Recovery

Cognitive behavioral group therapy aims to create a collaborative environment that fosters emotional and mental well-being. Our list of top 10 CBT group activities is designed to help you manage stress, build a positive perspective, overcome triggers, maintain sobriety, and help you overcome addiction treatment challenges in an uplifting environment. 

Virtual cognitive-behavioral therapy is as effective as an in-person session. To connect with a licensed therapist at ChoicePoint , please call us at 844.445.2565 .

CALL NOW FOR FREE SCREENING

Table of Contents

CBT For Substance Abuse Recovery: Does It Work?

Addiction treatment presents unique challenges. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines , opioids , illegal drugs, alcohol, and other prescription drugs is often associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This makes therapeutic interventions essential for complete recovery.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a structured and goal-oriented form of behavioral therapy. Take a look at scientific data to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT:

• Research establishes that behavioral therapy is highly effective for treating substance use disorder, especially cannabis and nicotine addiction. 
• 60% of patients suffering from cocaine addiction who availed of CBT along with treatment were free of addiction after 52 weeks duration. 
• A meta-analysis of 26 researchers concluded CBT in relapse prevention is highly effective for alcohol use disorder.

Did you know? 1 in 5 American women suffer from mental health problems . Call today at 844.445.2565 to connect with a licensed therapist.

10 Best CBT Group Activities Essential For SUD Treatment 

Addiction treatment is challenging but a very transformative experience. Whether you are a recovering addict or a therapist looking to step up the group therapy experience, we have got you covered with well-researched, goal-oriented, and engaging activities for group therapy.

CBT Group Activities For Adults

Let’s dive into the list of CBT group activities for adults recovering from substance use disorder and mental health issues.  

1. Thought Replacement Activity

Thought replacement or cognitive restructuring is one of the fundamentals of CBT. People suffering from SUD often have negative thinking patterns. You can encourage the clients to create a worksheet with negative thoughts to change the negative perspective.

In the CBT worksheet, like below, the clients can record their negative thoughts according to the situation. Pass the worksheet around the group and allow other clients to offer a positive perspective and discuss it among the group members. For example:

2. Lock and Key Activity To Combat Loneliness 

People opting for group therapy and support groups are often looking for peers to offer guidance and support in their recovery journey. Lock and key activities can be fun to break the ice and allow peers to connect and share their experiences.

Randomly assign locks to half of the group and keys to the other half. Allow people to mingle and match their keys to the locks. Those whose keys fit into the lock can sit together and discuss their challenges and offer insights into the recovery journey.

3. Problem-Solving Activity To Manage Triggers 

Helping clients to identify and manage the triggers that might cause a relapse is essential in CBT for addiction treatment. You can follow these steps:

• Hand out cards to all the group members
• Have them write the triggers
• Pass the papers around the group
• Ask group members to checkmark the card if they experience the same trigger
• Talk about the triggers with most check marks to reinforce that they are not alone and share these situations with other team members.
• Circulate a worksheet like the one in the example below to help your clients manage the triggers in real-life situations.

4. Learning To Say No To Substance Use 

Peer pressure is perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to recovery. Some people find it hard to say no to substance use in social gatherings or parties. Through this activity, you can encourage your participants to say no to drug use clearly.

• Allow your clients to brainstorm the situations where they could not refuse when offered drugs or alcohol.
• Ask them to list the short-term and long-term consequences of not refusing substance use.
• Start a role play, creating situations where clients can formulate a response if offered to use drugs. They can practice saying no when they are offered any substance.

You can also encourage clients to replace addiction with healthy hobbies and transformative activities to uplift the recovery experience.

5. Cognitive Restructuring Activity 

Cognitive restructuring or reframing quickly counteracts your negative thoughts by noticing positive things. For example:

•  Ask the participants about the first thing they notice in the room.
• If some have negative thoughts, like the room is too small, you can push them to notice positive things, like the couch is comfortable quickly and the wall art looks great.
• Allow participants to set reminders on the phone or keep a gratitude journal to notice and appreciate the positive things. 

CBT Interventions Group Activities

CBT Group Activities For Youth 

Although the exercises mentioned earlier can be conducted for adolescents, here is a list of fun and engaging CBT group activities for youth. These are designed to help teens and young ones feel supported in their recovery journey. 

6. Positive Affirmations And Compassion Box 

CBT group activities for youth should be specific to your target audience. Substance abuse in adolescents and teens often results in low self-esteem in vulnerable teens. Positive affirmations are a great way to boost self-worth. Some examples of positive affirmations include:

• I am stronger than my worst fears.
• I am worth the recovery.
• I am changing how I feel.

You can also keep a compassion box in which group members can write positive notes for other members. Members can read them at the end of the session. This will help them feel validated and appreciated.

7. Mood Tracker 

Daily mood charts or mood trackers are a great way to help clients understand the link between their environment, situation, and feelings. Clients can record the emotions they experience throughout the day.  Therapists can then help members understand the relationship between situations and emotions and how clients can better cope with those emotions in the future. 

8. Cognitive Skill Practicing Through Role Play

Role-playing offers a safe space for group therapy participants to confront their fears and negative thoughts. Acting in different scenarios can help patients to develop better coping strategies for difficult situations. For example, a teen is facing a negative stigma for going through addiction treatment. The therapist can enact the scene with group members and help the teen practice taking a stand for himself in a real-life situation. 

9. Behavioral Activation Through Gratitude Journaling

Behavioral activation involves identifying and engaging in positive behavior. You can encourage members to keep a gratitude journal and write everything they are grateful for. This will be beneficial to counteract any depressive thoughts.

10. Practicing Mindfulness Through Meditation

Mindfulness is the state of being alert to your surroundings. Imagine taking a walk, preoccupied with all the ongoing stuff. Now, imagine taking a mindful walk with your support group peers. You are aware of the gentle sunshine touching your face. You can hear the birds chirping. See the butterflies flying. Enjoy the children playing.  Your heart will automatically be filled with peace and gratitude. This peace will help you stay motivated towards your recovery journey.

Alarming Fact: In 2021, more than 1 in 5 students seriously considered attempting suicide, and 1 in 10 attempted suicide.

CBT Group Therapy Near Me In Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Now that you know CBT is a great way to heal your mind and body; you might be looking for a therapy program near you. With telehealth services , sessions with a licensed and experienced therapist are just a click away!

We offer not only CBT but also other in-person and online behavioral therapies that are best suited to your needs. These include:

• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Individual therapy
• Dual diagnosis

 Along with group CBT activities, we offer holistic addiction treatment programs for wholesome recovery. Some of our specialized programs include:

• Student addiction treatment
• LGBTQ addiction treatment
• Addiction treatment for pregnant women
• Criminal justice addiction treatment
• Medication-assisted treatment

Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment today by calling us at 844.445.2565 .

Free Addiction Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions Related To CBT Group Activities

Our clients often ask us these questions related to CBT group activities.

How is CBT used in Group Therapy?

In group CBT therapy, patients with similar conditions are placed in one group. A therapist works with the clients to identify how their negative thoughts affect emotions and behaviors. A therapist aims to reshape your thoughts towards a more positive perspective for better behavioral outcomes.

What is a CBT Activity?

CBT activities are solution-focused exercises and techniques that aim to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment outcomes in a fun and engaging way. These are targeted to help you adopt a more positive perspective. 

What is a CBT Skills Group?

CBT skills group is a course that teaches mindfulness, your emotions, and the interconnection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

What Are the Techniques of Group Therapy?

Group therapy techniques include:

• Solution-oriented group discussions
• Mindfulness-based activities
• Cognitive-behavioral role playing 
• Emotion processing activities

Does Insurance Cover Online CBT?

Yes, online CBT is covered by insurance. However, the extent of coverage differs from company to company. Please verify your insurance to avoid any inconvenience.

Medical Disclaimer:

ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.

Start Your Journey to Recovery Today!

Jessica Plonchak

(LCSW, MBA, LCADC)

Executive Clinical Director

Jessica Plonchak serves as Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). With 17 years of relevant experience, she has helped several clients in their journey to recovery from addiction.

See author's posts

Zainab Iqbal

(B.Sc., M.phil. Biochemistry)

Medical Content Writer

Zainab is a skilled member of the ChoicePoint team of medical content writers. With 4 years of relevant experience, she is passionate about conveying accurate and up-to-date information through her writing. Her area of expertise includes writing on addiction challenges, providing guidance on treatment procedures, and addressing co-occurring mental issues.

We Serve Patients In

Related posts

Looking For Addiction Help?

CALL US At 844.445.2565

Get Free Consultation

Affirm Independence and Support Recovery! Learn More

• Facilitator Training
• VolunteerHQ
• There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Role-Playing/Rehearsal

• Problem Solving
• In this Tool

Practicing for Success: The Power of Role-play and Rehearsal in Recovery

Understanding role-play/rehearsal, why role-play/rehearsal is so cool, conclusion: your rehearsal for real life, helpful links.

When we think of role-playing, we might imagine actors rehearsing for a play. They try out different lines and actions, preparing for their performance. But did you know that a similar strategy can be super helpful for people working to overcome addictive behaviors? This strategy, known as the Role-play/Rehearsal tool in SMART Recovery, is a powerful way to get ready for tough situations and make smart choices.

Role-play/Rehearsal is all about practice. Just like a musician practices a song before a concert, this tool helps people practice how they'll handle hard moments without turning to addictive behaviors. It's a way to plan ahead, so you're not caught off guard.

First, think of a situation that might be tricky for you. This could be going to a party where others are doing things you're trying to avoid or handling stress after a tough day. Picture this scene in your mind. What's happening around you? What are people saying? How are you feeling?

Now, imagine how you can handle this situation in a positive way. What can you say if someone offers you something you're avoiding? How can you calm down if you're feeling stressed? Think about the words you'll use and the actions you'll take. It's like you're the writer and the star of your own play!

This step is where the fun comes in! Practice out loud by yourself or with someone you trust. You can take turns pretending to be different people in the situation. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel. And don't worry about making mistakes — this is your chance to try different things and see what works best.

After you've practiced, you'll be ready to use your new skills in the real world. When you find yourself in the situation you rehearsed, you'll remember what you practiced and feel ready. Even if things don't go exactly as planned, that's okay. You're learning and getting stronger every time you try.

Role-play/Rehearsal is like a secret superpower. It helps you prepare for challenges before they happen. When you practice, you build confidence and skills that make you ready for anything. You're not just hoping you'll make good choices; you're making sure you know how!

Plus, role-playing can be fun. You can be creative and try things you might not do in real life. Sometimes, you'll even surprise yourself with the great ideas you come up with!

Life can bring unexpected challenges, especially when you're working to overcome addictive behaviors. But with Role-play/Rehearsal, you're not just waiting to see what happens. You're practicing, preparing, and building confidence, so you're ready to handle whatever comes your way. It's not just make-believe — it's your rehearsal for real life, and you're the star of the show.

DEADs Worksheet Download

Related tools.

An awareness and understanding of urges is crucial to recovery. One way to understand urges is by recording them. After a few entries, participants may notice patterns and similarities about their urges. The log then becomes a road map that will help them to anticipate situations and emotions that may trigger urges and  plan ways to avoid recognized triggers or distract themselves from the urge until it passes.

DIBs: Disputing Irrational Beliefs

In the realm of addiction recovery, the battleground is often not in the physical world but within the confines of our own minds. SMART Recovery, a program grounded in empowering individuals to break free from the chains of addictive behaviors, underscores the importance of mental liberation through the DIBs tool. An acronym for "Disputing Irrational Beliefs," DIBs is a central pillar in the SMART Recovery approach, guiding individuals through the process of identifying and challenging irrational beliefs that fuel addictive behaviors. This article illuminates the transformative power of DIBs in the journey toward sustainable recovery.

DISARM: Destructive Images and Self-Talk Awareness and Refusal Method

Recovery from addiction is often visualized as a battlefield where one's inner demons are the foe. These inner enemies come armed with deceptive allure, masquerading as friends or saviors, promising relief, pleasure, or escape. But, as anyone on the journey to recovery knows, yielding to these false promises leads only to more suffering. SMART Recovery arms individuals in this battle with an arsenal of tools, one of the most potent being DISARM - Destructive Images and Self-talk Awareness and Refusal Method.

Tool Overview

• How to use this tool

Example Scenario

The ABC Model is a good way of understanding how we can help change our feelings and behaviour by challenging our thinking. 

When to Use This Tool

The ABC Model is a good way of understanding how we can help change our feelings and behaviour by challenging our thinking. It helps us uncover beliefs that are not helping us /contributing to the behaviour we are trying to change.

This exercise may be done in the group setting but can also be very useful for participants to look at between meetings. 

How To Use This Tool

When working with urges: To analyze a lapse/relapse or to develop coping statements for an anticipated lapse/relapse.  In the event of a lapse, the question to ask is not “What made me do that”, but rather, “How did I talk myself into it?” It is not the urge (A) that causes the lapse (C). It is our beliefs (B); our irrational self-talk.

With emotional upset:  The ABC Model can also be used to work with emotional upset or frustrations that may occur at any point in the recovery journey. The ABCs allow us to discover our unhelpful beliefs which contribute to emotional upsets. Disputing helps us eliminate our irrational thinking so we can both feel better and do better. In SMART Recovery we teach that we feel the way we think; it’s not unpleasant events that disturb us, it’s the way we think of them. By changing our thinking, we change how we feel. 

Identifying and Disputing Unhelpful Thinking. Disputing is a process of challenging the way we think about situations. It’s about trying to look at thoughts more accurately. Disputing unhelpful thinking can help us make more informed decisions about thoughts instead of just acting on them.  Balanced thinking leads to effective new beliefs.

Example Scenario 1

Example Scenario 2

Example Scenario 3

Worksheet download, example scenario download, abc's explained youtube, change-plan.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

• 877-732-6837

How To Solve Problems in Recovery

Recovery from addiction is a difficult process that requires people to face and get past many hurdles. Problem-solving is an important skill that can help people get through the ups and downs of healing. People with good problem-solving skills can recognize triggers, deal with stress, and avoid relapse. In this article, we’ll talk about how important problem-solving is in recovery, what gets in the way of successfully fixing problems, and how to build and keep problem-solving skills.

What Is Problem-Solving?

Problem-solving is the process of identifying what the problem is and how to fix it. It involves figuring out what the problem is, getting information about it, coming up with ideas for how to solve it, weighing the options, and choosing the best course of action. Effective problem-solving is important for recovery because it can help people recognize triggers and avoid relapse.

Why Is Problem-Solving Important in Recovery?

Learning how to solve problems is extremely important for people recovering from addiction. When we know how to solve problems well, we can better tackle challenges and stressors. This helps build the confidence and self-trust that is essential for staying sober. When we learn how to solve problems, it helps us do something positive about them. That can make a huge difference in the recovery process.

How to Become a Problem-Solver Instead of a Problem-Haver

In general, problem-solving helps us form healthier coping strategies. While it takes time and practice to learn how to solve problems, it is a skill that anyone can learn.  If you seeking information on how to become a problem-solver instead of a problem-haver, the first step is to learn the basics of how to solve problems.

Steps to Problem-Solving

To fix any problem, you must figure out what is wrong. This may seem obvious, but many people become overwhelmed by a stressful situation and lose sight of the issue at hand. Those who suffer from anxiety often catastrophize the worst-case scenarios without ever defining the problem. 

The main steps of problem-solving include:

• Identify the problem: The first step is to identify what the issue or challenge is. This involves recognizing the source of the problem and understanding how it affects you.
• Brainstorm solutions: Once you have identified the issue, it is important to brainstorm potential solutions. This involves looking at the problem from different angles and thinking of creative ways to solve it.
• Analyze your options: After you have come up with a few potential solutions, it is important to analyze each option. Consider the pros and cons of each solution and decide which one best suits your needs.
• Implement a plan: Once you have chosen the best solution, it is time to put your plan into action. Make sure that you have all the necessary resources and support in place before beginning the implementation process.

Being clear about what the problem is and why it is occurring can help you to find a solution. Before any progress is made, you must define the problem. After, you can use one of the many problem-solving techniques available to help you resolve the issue.

Problem-Solving Techniques

There are many ways to solve problems that can help you get better at solving them.

Some problem-solving techniques include:

• Mind mapping: a visual tool that helps you order your thoughts and ideas.
• Six Thinking Hats: a method for looking at a problem from six different points of view.
• SWOT analysis: SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This is a tool used to figure out what a situation’s strengths, flaws, opportunities, and threats are.

With practice, problem-solving techniques can become second nature and empower you to make decisions that are both beneficial and realistic.

Common Barriers to Problem-Solving in Recovery

Getting past the barriers that make it difficult to solve problems is important for making a successful recovery. 

Common barriers that make it hard to solve problems in recovery may include:

• Fear of failing: Many people in recovery worry about not being able to solve a problem. Facing setbacks on the journey to recovery can be incredibly discouraging. Unfortunately, this fear can even stop people from trying.
• Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem may believe they’re incapable of solving problems. This can lead to unhealthy patterns of avoidance and escapism.
• Negative self-talk: This is a common thing that makes it hard for people in recovery to solve problems. People may question their ability to solve a problem or talk badly to themselves, which makes their fears and worries worse.
• Difficulty making choices: Some people in recovery may have trouble making decisions, especially if they have a history of acting impulsively. This can make it hard to compare options and pick the best one.
• Lack of help: Not having enough support can also make it hard to solve problems. People may lack the tools or support network they need to deal with certain issues, especially if their relationships with friends and family are tense.

Due to the physical and psychological impacts of substance abuse and withdrawal, many people in early recovery struggle to stay patient and calm in stressful situations. For this reason, one of the main focuses of problem-solving groups is learning to express feelings without getting emotional or defensive. 

To move past these obstacles, it’s important to redirect your attention to reflect on yourself during recovery. Seeking support and guidance from a professional or a support group can be a helpful way to tackle these challenges and gain the tools necessary to overcome them effectively.

Developing Problem-Solving Skills in Rehab

When someone is in rehabilitation, it is an excellent opportunity to learn and practice solving problems. With the help of therapists and other qualified professionals, people can explore new methods of problem-solving that can be effective for them.

How Can Therapy Help Solve Problems?

Therapy can be a good way for people in recovery to learn how to solve problems. Substance abuse counselors and licensed therapists can help people figure out what’s causing their problems. After, they can help you brainstorm new ways to deal with them and work through tough feelings that might be getting in the way of resolving an issue.

Relapse Prevention Groups

Groups for preventing relapse offer the chance to learn how to cope with stressful situations. People can learn from others who have been through similar struggles and get new ideas to avoid falling back into old habits. In these groups, people can work together and find ways to manage triggers with help and support from each other.

One of the best things about relapse prevention groups is that they give people a sense of community. The people involved often feel like they fit in and get help from others who are also going through challenges. This can help a lot with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that often come with recovery.

Mindfulness Groups

Mindfulness-based groups are also helpful for coping with addiction and developing problem-solving skills. By joining these groups, individuals can become more mindful of themselves and make wise decisions when faced with obstacles. Focusing on the present moment and their goals gives them more control over their thoughts and emotions, which is beneficial for staying away from relapse and having a better shot at long-term recovery.

How Drug and Alcohol Rehab Prepares You to Solve Problems

People in rehab for drugs or alcohol can learn to become better at solving problems. Medical professionals and therapists help them figure out what to do when faced with an issue. They may have one-on-one, group therapy, or other kinds of therapy which teach them how to recognize, evaluate, and fix their problems.

Rehab creates a safe place for people with addiction to gain strategies they can use to stop substance abuse. In this supportive setting, they can practice solving problems, so they are ready to manage them on their own once they leave rehab.

Sustainable Problem-Solving Skills For Long-Term Recovery

To ensure that your problem-solving methods are sustainable for your new recovery lifestyle, it is important to practice them regularly and provide honest feedback.  You can also gather resources, ask for advice from experienced members of the recovery community, and take the time to find effective solutions.

Ways to constantly improve your problem-solving skills include:

• Monitor your progress: As you continue to solve problems in recovery, it is important to regularly monitor your progress. This helps you ensure that you are consistently growing in recovery and that there are no roadblocks along the way.
• Make adjustments: As you monitor your progress in recovery, make sure to keep an open mind. It may be necessary to make changes or adjustments to your relapse prevention plan to ensure your success.
• Evaluate results: Each time you solve a problem, the best way to track your progress is to evaluate the results. This helps you determine how successful your plan was, what worked, and what you can improve for the future. This step is essential to continuously improving your problem-solving skills.
• Document your progress: After evaluating your problem-solving skills, document everything that happened. This will help you to refer back to it in the future when facing similar situations and can also provide valuable insights into your growth and progress in recovery.

Once you use your problem-solving skills to fix the situation, remember to celebrate your efforts. It’s important to congratulate yourself for successfully following through on your plan, regardless of the result. While you can’t control how others react in a situation, knowing that you did your best to solve an issue is an incredible source of motivation. Acknowledging your ability to change past unhealthy behaviors to positive ones can play a key role in self-encouragement and personal growth.

Recovery Maintenance: Retaining Problem-Solving Skills During and After Treatment

It is just as important to maintain problem-solving skills after treatment as it is to learn them during treatment.

Here are some tips for keeping problem-solving skills after treatment:

• In times of crisis, turn to “the basics” you learned in treatment
• Continue ongoing therapy sessions after treatment
• Practice healthy coping skills for big and small issues
• Incorporate self-care techniques into your routine
• Seek out the support, perspective, and advice of others

Turn to “The Basics” In a Crisis

Think about how you learned to solve problems in treatment and how you can apply what you learned to your everyday life. Think about the issues you faced and how you solved them while you were in treatment. This will help you find patterns and methods that have worked for you in the past, which you can then use to solve new problems.

Continuing Care in Counseling

Keep getting help by going to therapy, joining a support group, or getting a sponsor . It’s helpful to stay in touch with people who can help keep you accountable, to maintain your problem-solving skills sharp. By staying connected, you can also learn from those who have been in similar situations and come up with new ways to deal with problems.

Prevent Burnout By Taking Breaks

Taking the time to care for yourself is essential to stay focused and motivated in tackling any problem. For this reason, it’s important to check in with yourself and remember to take breaks when you feel overwhelmed or stressed. 

Most problems that people face in their day-to-day interactions can wait a few hours before being addressed, so it’s best to pause and reflect. This is especially true for people who struggle with emotional regulation during stressful situations. In these cases, removing yourself from the moment can protect you from overwhelming emotions that may lead to emotional outbursts and shame. 

Prioritize Self-Care and Relaxation

While taking a break, using relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or meditation can help you to self-soothe and calm your anxious mind. Engaging in calming activities like meditation or writing can also help you stay in the moment and think about your situation with an open mind. Dedicating a portion of your day to stress relief can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. As a result, taking a holistic approach to healing can lead to better problem-solving abilities.

Practice Solving Big and Small Problems

Use your problem-solving skills often, even when the problems are small. The more you practice, the easier it will be to solve problems. This can help you feel more confident and strong when you face new challenges. Finally, remember that there are always new ways to approach difficult problems.

Remember that no problem is too small or too big to tackle. With the right mindset and support, you can overcome anything. You may learn something valuable in the process!

By engaging in these activities to maintain and improve problem-solving skills after treatment, you can increase your chances of being successful in recovery after treatment. 

Seek Guidance and Support From Others

Don’t be afraid to seek out advice or try something different. When discussing your issues in group therapy and support meetings, ask for feedback and advice from other members. They might have useful insights that can help you better understand your situation and come up with creative solutions. Additionally, reach out to friends or family who can provide moral support and challenge you in a positive way.

Who to Ask for Help When You Face a Problem That You Can’t Solve Alone

SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.” While the willingness to change is the first step in freeing yourself from addiction, recovery is an ongoing process that requires dedication, hard work, and commitment. Knowing this, it is important to understand that asking for help is a sign of bravery, not weakness.

When you face a problem you can’t fix on your own, it’s important to have a support system in place. Whether it’s a close friend, family member, or therapist, it can be very helpful to reach out to someone you trust for advice and support. While it may seem daunting, getting help when you need it can improve your chances of staying sober in the long run.

Support groups can also help people in recovery figure out how to solve problems. These groups give people a safe and helpful place to talk about their experiences, get feedback and advice, and come up with new ways to deal with problems.

Living in recovery can be a challenging and rewarding journey. With the right support and proper problem-solving skills, individuals can make the most of each day, living a fulfilling life of sobriety. By reaching out for professional help, connecting with a supportive community, and practicing effective coping strategies, those in recovery can arm themselves with the tools needed to stand up to any challenge that may arise on their journey toward recovery. 

Reach Out For Help In Addiction Recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, Royal Life Centers can provide the support you need to achieve lasting sobriety. Our team of certified clinicians provides evidence-based therapies to help individuals in recovery find their path toward a healthier and happier life. 

With our comprehensive approach, guests can develop positive coping skills, create meaningful relationships, and gain a sense of purpose in their sobriety journey. Contact us today to start your journey!

For more information about our treatment programs and resources available to individuals in recovery, call 877-RECOVERY . Our team in admissions is available 24/7 to answer any of your questions and assist you in entering treatment.

Table of Contents

Muscle relaxers are a common choice of medication for those struggling with pain. However, many are left wondering, are muscle relaxers addictive? Whether using muscle

Are Blue Xanax Pills the Real Thing?  Xanax is a benzodiazepine that is often used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorders.

Trauma flashbacks are a common side effect for those who struggle with PTSD. At Royal Life Centers, we specialize in healing military trauma. Our first

At Royal Life Centers, we strive to provide our guests with the most comprehensive recovery options possible. We often use holistic and unconventional therapies to

Over the years, veteran mental health services have become crucial for service members. PTSD and other mental health issues are a common occurrence among veterans.

As Xanax becomes an increasingly popular drug of abuse, many people have started looking for new ways to market and acquire this product. One of

TRUSTED & ACCREDITED ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS

CAREERS   |     CONTACT

ADMISSIONS DOES MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER REHAB? OUR CLINICAL APPROACH ADDICTION RESOURCES

Privacy Policy

Proud member of

8 Essential Life Skills for People in Recovery

Here are eight of the main life skills people in recovery will benefit from practicing in their daily lives. These skills are proven to support individuals during their recovery journey:

• Practicing Self-Care:  A common denominator of emotional relapse is poor self-care. Self-care can reduce stress levels and combat anxiety and depression. This includes getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious foods, meditation and journaling to develop positive coping strategies to combat depression, anxiety, and other negative emotions and thoughts.
• Preparing Healthy Meals : Just as making healthy food choices is important, individuals in recovery also need to learn how to create a meal plan, shop for groceries, and prepare their own meals. The chemicals in junk food 
• Setting and achieving personal goals:   One of the top life skills in recovery should also include making goals. Years of continued substance abuse may have left some people feeling hopeless, without any life goals or aspirations. Goals keep life moving forward and prevent old habits from seeping back in. Others may have never had goals in the first place. Fortunately, recovery is the perfect time to start defining and pursuing personal goals.
• Maintaining a clean living space:  Learning how to maintain a clean living space is not just good practice in discipline, but it will also make returning home a whole lot easier, especially for those who have family members. Having a clean home environment can increase one's feelings of self-worth and help to reduce stress.
• Managing finances  - Another primary recovery life skill is managing finances. Financial planning and management may be difficult for a person in recovery, as they may be used to allocating all their money to acquiring drugs and/or alcohol. There are many free resources online to help individuals learn how to  practice budgeting, saving, and planning for these expenses.
• Building healthy relationships  -Building healthy relationships is one of the most important and challenging new life skills for addicts in recovery. While the person in recovery is adjusting to their new life of sobriety, their family and friends will also be adjusting to the change. Regardless of how family and friends respond to an individual’s newfound sobriety, it is vital that people in recovery focus on find ways to build and enhance relationships with others by communicating clearly, expressing emotions in a healthy way, listening, and identifying and coping with triggers in social situations/ These skills can be gained by interacting peers at our Recovery Community Center. 
• Managing time -  In the past, people who were addicted most likely spent the majority of their time and energy using or obtaining drugs and/or alcohol. In recovery, these individuals must learn to fill their time with goals, activities, and recovery-oriented work. One of the best ways to practice time management is to invest in a daily planner or online calendar. Using a planner or calendar to schedule out free time is a great way to avoid boredom and wasted time, which put a person at higher risk for relapse.
• Finding and maintaining employment -  Maintaining a good job is one of the many things that makes life more meaningful, especially for those in recovery. There are many organizations like RCNC in North Carolina that help people in recovery find and obtain employment through community connections. Our community partners help individuals learn how to search for employment using various methods, fill out applications, create or update a resume, and how to properly present themselves in a job interview.

What Are the 12 Steps of Recovery?

One of the biggest challenges in recovery is understanding the process and what it entails. The 12 steps of recovery are a framework that offers guidance on this journey. For some, working the steps is a lifelong commitment. For others, however, it may be a shorter process. But regardless of how long it takes, these 12 steps can provide a roadmap to a life in recovery.

The 12-step rehab program at Red Oak Recovery ® is a vital part of our program and is designed to help our clients overcome their addiction, achieve sobriety, and live a healthy and worthwhile life. Call us at 866.457.7590 today to learn more.

What Are The 12 Steps of Recovery?

The 12 steps of recovery are a structured set of guidelines initially developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded by Bill Wilson, as a means to help individuals struggling with alcoholism to recover from their addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. These steps entail a comprehensive process that encourages personal growth, self-reflection, and mutual support among peers.

Since their inception, the 12 steps have been adapted for use in various other addiction recovery programs, tailored to address issues such as sex addiction, gambling addiction, and drug addiction. Each program integrates the core philosophy of the 12 steps while catering to the specific needs and challenges of its participants.

Not An Inherently Religious Program

There exists a common misconception that the 12 steps are inherently a religious program. However, this isn’t accurate. While the steps are indeed spiritual in nature, emphasizing the importance of a higher power and personal transformation, they are not affiliated with any particular religion. This spiritual framework is designed to be inclusive, allowing people of all faiths — or even those with no faith — to benefit from working through the steps.

The versatility and adaptability of the 12 steps have made them a cornerstone of addiction recovery, providing a pathway to hope, healing, and a healthier life for countless individuals across the world. Whether applied in the context of group meetings, one-on-one counseling, or personal introspection, the 12 steps offer a supportive and effective approach to overcoming addiction.

12 Steps of Addiction Recovery

The 12 steps of addiction recovery can provide a much-needed sense of structure and support for people who are struggling with addiction. They can also help to:

• Break the cycle of addiction
• Build a foundation for sobriety
• Address underlying issues that contribute to addiction
• Promote healthy coping and problem-solving skills
• Enhance relationships
• Increase self-awareness
• Increase self-esteem
• Encourage spiritual growth

The steps can be worked through in an individual or group setting. Many people find it helpful to work with a sponsor (someone who is also in recovery and has worked through the steps themselves).

12 Steps of Recovery

Now that we know what the 12 steps of recovery are, let’s take a closer look at each one.

When working on the 12 steps of addiction recovery, it is important to keep in mind that this is a process, not a destination. The goal is to live a life in recovery, one day at a time.

The steps of recovery are as follows:

• We admitted we were powerless over our addiction and that our lives had become unmanageable.
• We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
• We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this power.
• We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
• We admitted to ourselves, to another human being, and to our Higher Power, the exact nature of our wrongs.
• We were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all these defects of character.
• We humbly asked our Higher Power to remove our shortcomings.
• We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
• We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
• We continued to take personal inventory of ourselves and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
• We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of its will for us and the power to carry that out.
• Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others suffering from addiction and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Get the Help You Need at Red Oak Recovery ® Today

Red Oak Recovery ® offers a comprehensive addiction program that includes the 12 steps as well as other evidence-based treatment modalities. Our program is individualized to meet the unique needs of each client. We also offer a wide range of amenities and services to support our clients in their journey to recovery. Call us at 866.457.7590 today or use our online contact form to learn more.

Rebuild Your Life at Red Oak Recovery ®

Complete the confidential form below now to get started

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

631 Willow Creek Rd Leicester, NC 28748

P: 828.382.9699 F: 828.372.4213

[email protected] [email protected]

Men’s Rehab Program

Men’s mental health treatment, therapy services.

Coping Skills in Addiction Recovery

August 19, 2021

Why is addiction treatment so important for long-term recovery? The simple answer is that going to treatment allows individuals in recovery to get to the root of their addiction and understand why they turned to substances. The lessons learned and skills developed in treatment provide a foundation for lifelong sobriety.

According to a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), one out of every twelve adults in the United States experiences addiction. Addiction is a brain disease that alters the brain function of many individuals, plaguing them with compulsions to fulfill their cravings and desires. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is a “brain disease indicated by cravings, an inability to abstain from the behavior or substance, dysfunctional emotional responses, and a loss of behavioral control.” The reasons people seek drugs vary from person to person, but in most cases, there is an underlying issue that, once treated, alleviates the compulsion to use drugs to some extent.

One of the primary reasons people turn to drug use and become addicted is that they lack healthy coping mechanisms to face troubling life circumstances. Individuals turn to mind-altering substances to manage stress, sadness, illness, and unfortunate life circumstances. For those struggling with everyday stressors, drugs and alcohol help to numb the situation, remove the individual from their reality, increase pleasure, and decrease their anxiety. Using substances as a coping mechanism is not sustainable and will eventually catch up with the user.

Importance of Developing Healthy Coping Skills

Developing healthy coping mechanisms is critical to maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol. No matter what healthy coping mechanism individuals in recovery rely on, the goal is the same and the neuro processing is similar. Like using drugs and alcohol, healthy coping mechanisms are “habits formed over time, that serve to help a person manage with particular situations or stress levels.” It is essential to understand while not all coping mechanisms are destructive or maladaptive, addiction is both.

Healthy coping skills help people deal with stress and sadness in a way that allows them to succeed in society despite their debilitating feelings. A coping skill allows a person to engage in an activity that strengthens their mental health when experiencing negativity in their life. When stress levels rise, people excessively rely on their chosen compulsive behavior to remove discomfort, be that drug abuse or gambling. This provides only temporary relief and leads to a struggle with addiction . Some coping methods become compulsive, such as binge eating, shopping, gambling, sex, and video games. If a person relies on these maladaptive behaviors to cope, they may become addicted to them because they trigger the same “pleasure-inducing brain chemicals that drugs and alcohol do and lead to addiction with prolonged repetition.” Any addiction can become destructive, so it is important to develop healthy coping skills in addiction recovery that make you feel better without depending on them to function.

How Treatment Can Help

Because addiction is a brain disease with elevated chemical imbalances, professional help is required for recovery. Health professionals help to reestablish neurological homeostasis and end addictive tendencies by replacing maladaptive behaviors with positive coping skills. At Boardwalk Recovery Center, we have psychiatrists on staff to assist with chemical imbalances and skilled therapists who provide group therapy, process groups, and support with individual issues. Our psychiatrists will evaluate our clients and intentionally prescribe medication that will work to regulate their unique brain chemistry to create a safe, stable space to develop healthy life skills.

At Boardwalk Recovery Center, we believe our clients need to develop healthy stress, anger management, and communication skills to apply when faced with a difficult situation. The risk of relapse is exponentially reduced by having a toolbox of coping skills. During addiction treatment, we guide our clients through the activation of skills to manage cravings and triggers when they arise.

Healthy Coping Strategies For Recovery

Using the healthy alternatives below can help minimize relapse and set up a foundation for lifelong abstinence.

1. Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins and provides an outlet to release tension , and improve mood, self-image, and quality of sleep. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), “…staying physically active can boost both emotional and physical health and manage stress, therefore helping to control cravings and prevent relapse.”

2. Mindfulness Meditation

To be active in your recovery, you must create a space for yourself to reflect. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises help people ground themselves and reconnect with their authentic selves and the things they want to manifest in their lives .

3. Spirituality

In recovery, individuals are encouraged to find inner strength and admit that they are powerless in certain situations. Developing a spiritual practice is excellent for connecting to a higher power. Individuals in 12-Step recovery programs frequently focus on admitting powerlessness over their addiction and surrendering their lives to a higher power. Individuals in recovery who practice spirituality can easily access faith-based skills and maintain a stable and grateful mindset.

4. Positive Reframing

At Boardwalk Recovery Center, we help our clients to reframe their negative thought patterns and establish a positive framework through which to view their life circumstances. We believe every challenging experience is a lesson and an opportunity for growth. With a positive perspective, no situation is hopeless, and choices become clear.

5. Finding Humor in Situations

While some people use humor to hide behind in a maladaptive way, humor can be a healthy coping mechanism when used with the goal of not taking yourself so seriously.

6. Problem-Solving

Learning how to approach challenging issues is something that individuals in recovery need to relearn. By developing problem-solving skills, an individual in recovery can avoid being overwhelmed or triggered by stress.

7. Creative Expression

Having an outlet to express yourself is helpful to everyone. Some people may express themselves through fashion or by creating art. Journaling is a great way to express yourself without having to explain or justify your feelings to anybody. Music is also an outlet that helps people unwind and reconnect to their experiences and emotions.

8. Communication

At Boardwalk Recovery Center we treat clients with the foundational belief that the healthiest way to communicate is to “tell not show.” Communicating with someone you trust is necessary to relieve painful emotions. It is often difficult to provide support to someone who only shows their anger or frustration and does not express it in a healthy way. In our support groups, we set aside time to process feelings by communicating them to the counselor and the group of clients who can sympathize and provide support. A person in recovery may benefit from having a sponsor, someone they can reach out to and share their deepest thoughts and feelings with whenever they need it, whether it’s daily check-ins or in times of crisis.

9. Being of Service

A huge aspect of the recovery community is giving back. Many 12-Step programs have services built into the program. Being a sponsor, speaking up at meetings, sharing about your recovery journey, lending an ear, or volunteering with local charities are all positive ways to transform energy in your recovery.

10. Quality Sleep and a Healthy Diet

Sleep is essential for overall well-being. When a person is recovering and re-calibrating their central nervous system and brain chemicals, sleep is even more important to allow the body time to restore itself. Having a healthy diet and nourishing the body will give individuals in recovery the energy they need to work through their issues and devote time to process what they have been through. Eating well goes hand in hand with brain performance and being able to think through your behaviors and act with intention.

Recovery is never over; it is an ongoing practice that requires effort. Individuals in recovery must foster their coping skills by continuing to attend groups, reaching out for support, and applying coping mechanisms. The skills learned at Boardwalk Recovery Center become ingrained in our clients, and living a life in recovery becomes fulfilling and sustainable.

Life can be good again and we’d like to show you how.

619-485-6029 [email protected] 1940 Garnet Avenue Suite 120 San Diego, Ca 92109

We have treated more than 70,000 patients on our mission to save 1,000,000 lives.

Starting Fresh: Developing New Coping Mechanisms in Recovery

Quitting using drugs and alcohol is only one part of addiction recovery. The other part involves developing healthy coping skills for the intense emotions and difficulties you’ll encounter. In the past, you may have turned to drugs and alcohol to deal with stress, trauma, and other life events. But in recovery, you’ll need to develop new problem-solving skills that can help manage these issues without relying on addictive substances.

This article will explore the concept of “starting fresh” in addiction recovery and the importance of developing new coping mechanisms to build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. But before we do that, let’s explore the stages of relapse.

Stages of Relapse

Relapse happens gradually. It starts weeks or months before one picks up a drink or drug. Addiction treatment aims to help patients recognize the early signs of relapse and develop healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse earlier when success rates are highest. With that in mind, here are the stages of relapse:

Emotional Relapse

This stage involves emotional and behavioral patterns that set the stage for a relapse. The individual may not even be aware that they are heading toward relapse. In many cases, one starts by feeling sad or stressed. This causes the body to release stress hormones that trigger a cascade of negative emotions like anger, irritability, cravings, isolation, poor self-care, mood swings, anxiety, and neglecting recovery activities.

Mental Relapse

In this stage, the individual actively considers using drugs or alcohol again. Part of them wants to use it, while the other part tries to stay sober. Signs of mental relapse include craving drugs or alcohol, reminiscing about past use, minimizing the consequences of past use, hanging out with old friends who still use, and planning how to use again.

Physical Relapse

The final stage is when the individual uses drugs or alcohol again. Once physical relapse occurs, the addiction cycle begins again.

Signs of physical relapse include:

• Obtaining and using drugs or alcohol.
• Lying about use.
• Hiding drug or alcohol use from others.

The Benefits of Healthy Coping Skills

Addictive substances activate the brain’s pleasure circuit, triggering the release of dopamine, a feel-good hormone. When you use these substances to escape or cope with difficult emotions, you can depend on them to feel okay and function. And this is how addiction starts.

Developing healthy coping skills for mental health can help you break this addictive cycle and develop a positive outlook. During a crisis, the right defense mechanisms can help you manage challenges and prevent minor setbacks from escalating. Healthy coping skills have many benefits, including:

Improved Emotional Regulation

Healthy coping skills can help you regulate your emotions positively. Rather than relying on substances to numb difficult emotions, healthy coping skills give you tools to process and manage your feelings constructively.

Increased Resilience

Coping skills can help individuals build resilience and quickly bounce back from challenges. Life is unpredictable, and the lows can be tough during recovery. But healthy coping strategies make it easier to deal with setbacks or stressors. Developing and utilizing healthy coping skills makes you feel more empowered and in control of your emotions and behaviors.

Improved Relationships

Healthy coping skills can also improve relationships with friends and family members. When you can better regulate your emotions and communicate effectively, you’re more likely to build and maintain positive relationships with others. In turn, they will be more willing to offer the emotional and social support you need during recovery.

Better Physical Health

Coping skills can also have physical health benefits. Research shows that individuals with strong coping skills are less likely to experience psychological stress, which can lead to physical and mental health problems over time.

Prevent Relapse

And the best part is that healthy coping skills can help prevent relapse . Developing healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions and situations makes you less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol as a temporary fix. Instead, you have the tools and strategies to manage your emotions healthily and constructively, reducing the risk of relapse and supporting long-term recovery.

Real-world Application of Coping Strategies

Healthy coping strategies can be invaluable in managing emotional distress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and other mental health issues efficiently. Some real-world applications of healthy coping strategies include:

Support Groups

Support groups provide a sense of community and connection with others going through similar experiences and can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness. These groups offer safe spaces to share your struggles, feelings, and progress without fear of judgment. You get to learn from the experiences of others and gain new perspectives and insights into your recovery.

Support groups can also provide practical tools and strategies for managing your addiction and preventing relapse. For example, 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous often provide:

• A structured program for recovery that includes steps for addressing underlying issues.
• Developing healthy coping skills.
• Staying accountable to oneself and others.

Recreational Activities and Nutrition

Recreational activities and nutrition are important in addiction recovery and can help prevent relapse. Engaging in activities like breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, art, music, hiking, and group games can provide a healthy outlet for stress and emotions and promote feelings of well-being and relaxation.

Exercise (deep breathing, jogging, or walking), for example, is known to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that promote positive feelings and reduce stress and pain. Engaging in activities like hiking and group games can provide a sense of adventure and social interaction, which can help individuals feel less isolated and more connected to others.

Nutrition is also important in addiction recovery as it can help you feel better physically and mentally. A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide the necessary nutrients to support overall health and well-being.

Good Night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is another important coping strategy that can help prevent relapse. Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining good physical and mental health, and it’s especially important for individuals in recovery.

Lack of sleep can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety and can make it harder to manage stress and difficult emotions. It can also make it more difficult to concentrate and make sound decisions, affecting overall well-being and recovery. Some tips for a good night’s sleep are:

• Establishing a regular sleep routine, which includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This routine can help regulate the body’s internal clock and promote better sleep quality.
• Creating a sleep-conducive environment by keeping the bedroom cool, quiet, and dark.
• Limiting exposure to screens and electronics before bedtime can also help promote better sleep.
• Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bedtime prevents sleep disruptions and promotes better overall health and well-being.

Journaling provides a safe and private outlet for expressing and processing difficult emotions and thoughts. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand yourself and your triggers, which can help you develop healthier coping strategies and avoid relapse.

Journaling can also serve as a tool for self-reflection and self-awareness. When you regularly reflect on your experiences and progress, you can track your growth and identify areas where you may need to work on yourself. This can help you stay motivated and committed to your recovery journey.

Developing new coping mechanisms is a crucial part of addiction recovery, and it can be challenging to do it alone. At Recovery Centers of America , we provide a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment that includes a range of evidence-based therapies, support groups, and aftercare services. We aim to help individuals develop the coping mechanisms they need to maintain their long-term sobriety.

Start Recovery Today

We're here for you.

Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care. We’re ready to make sure you have the support you need to achieve lifelong recovery. 

Treatment Advisor Standing By, 24/7

Call Us: (800) 977-6110

• Alternative to Inpatient
• Services Overview
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Outpatient Rehab – Overview
• Individual Therapy
• Recovery Groups
• Continuing Care
• Admission Info
• For Families
• For Professionals
• Media and Press
• Learn About Addiction
• Sex, Drugs, Gambling & Chocolate
• SMART Recovery
• Addiction Specialists & Staff

5 Effective Tips for Problem Solving

Some problems cannot be “solved,” only resolved. We often need to practice acceptance. For instance, if I consider dying a problem, then accepting that ultimate reality is the only resolution. However, even problems that may require a large amount of acceptance can also benefit from problem-solving some of their components. For instance, I am not able to avoid death, but I can have influence over many aspects of it. From a self-empowering perspective, acceptance is often Plan B, with active problem solving being Plan A.

Here are five basic steps for effective problem solving:

• Define the problem—Understand the specific nature of the problem. Some problems are large and may need to be broken down into smaller, more manageable problems.
• Brainstorm—Come up with as many solutions as possible. Let your thoughts flow freely, and keep going until you run out of ideas. It may be helpful to get input from a friend or a therapist.
• Evaluate—Assess the solutions that you came up with. Consider how realistic they are, whether they are likely to work, and whether they have any consequences.
• Select—Now that you have thoroughly evaluated possible solutions, choose the one that seems best.
• Create a written plan—Having a written plan can be helpful. Include when you will start implementing the solution and what you will need to make it successful. Then put your plan into action!

Problem solving takes practice. You will make mistakes, but don’t give up. With time and effort, you can learn to solve problems effectively.

outpatient menu

• IOP – Intensive Outpatient Program
• Craft For Families
• Academic Addiction Articles (52)
• Addiction and Mental Health (99)
• Alternative Approaches to Recovery (117)
• Change Your Thinking (126)
• Coping with Cravings (22)
• Healthy habits in recovery (51)
• Healthy Recipes (5)
• Holidays (22)
• Lifestyle Balance (24)
• Mindfulness (28)
• Miscellaneous (98)
• Parenting (18)
• Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment (10)
• Recovery (109)
• Recovery Maintenance (18)
• Recreational Activities (13)
• Relationships (30)

resources menu

This site uses cookies to track visits and help us better serve our visitors. We do not share information with 3rd parties or participate in spamming practices.

Privacy settings

Privacy Settings

NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.

CALL US NOW

888-432-2467

• Accreditations
• Prescription Drug
• Anger Management Treatment
• Anxiety Management Treatment
• Bipolar Disorder Treatment
• Codependency Treatment
• Depression Recovery Treatment
• Domestic Violence
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Trauma Treatment & PTSD
• Social Skills Development
• Medically Monitored Detox
• Residential Treatment
• Residential Mental Health Treatment
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Christian Addiction Counseling
• Elderly Rehab
• Intervention
• Military & Veteran Drug Rehab
• Professional Rehab
• SMART Recovery Program
• Telehealth Program
• Art Therapy
• Biofeedback Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Equine Assisted Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Group Dynamic
• Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Motivational Interviewing
• Music Therapy
• Nature Therapy
• Psychodrama Therapy
• Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT)
• Life Skills Therapy
• Meditation Therapy
• Spiritual Recovery
• Verify Insurance
• Hope Stories
• Patient Funds
• Reference Library
• What to Bring List
• Problem Solving in Addiction Recovery
• Addiction Blog
• Personal Resources , Family Resources , Recovery Resources

As you may have guessed, problem-solving refers to the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex problems. It’s normal for sober people to face specific challenges that can threaten their progress. Even after completing drug or alcohol treatment, certain addiction triggers, temptations, and stressors may present themselves. Recovery from addiction is rarely a perfectly progressive journey but rather a winding road. As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Palm Beach , we know that problem-solving in addiction recovery is essential for long-term sobriety, so we’re sharing a few tips that can help.

Common Problems That Occur in Recovery

Finding the appropriate life skills for addicts is crucial because they face various challenges that people who have never struggled with addiction wouldn’t understand. Some of the common challenges that addicts face in recovery include:

• Difficult emotions
• Drug and alcohol cravings
• Relationship problems
• Financial problems
• Poor mental health
• Transitioning back to everyday life after rehab

While nearly everyone has experienced stress and difficult emotions, other challenges like cravings and relapse are very specific to people who are recovering from substance abuse. Boredom and loneliness may seem simple to some people, but they’re considered two of the most dangerous emotions in recovery . Developing problem-solving skills in addiction recovery can help these individuals discover healthy and realistic ways to address these challenges and stay on track. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches offers CBT problem-solving techniques as well as other therapies like biofeedback therapy . We also support recovering addicts with a variety of therapy techniques.

Simple Tips for Problem-Solving in Addiction Recovery

Some problems may reoccur throughout your life. Recovery is a continuous process that never ends, and the challenges associated with staying sober after addiction can reoccur multiple times. However, there are ways to improve your problem-solving skills in recovery and keep yourself prepared to withstand any trials that threaten to jeopardize your progress. Below are some simple and proven problem-solving skills you can use in your recovery or share with someone who is working on their sobriety.

• Identify the problem: The first step in tackling addiction problems and solutions is to identify the problem. If you’re feeling uneasy or feeling stressed or anxious, there’s probably a good reason for it. Don’t ignore your uneasiness or distress. Acknowledging a problem and facing it head-on can prevent you from pushing it to the side and keeps you accountable for making the necessary changes.
• Break the problem into parts: When you come across a big problem, it can be overwhelming. Usually, the second step of problem-solving in addiction recovery is to pick things you can change one day at a time. Have you got yourself into debt? Break it up into smaller payments. Not only is this the most responsible and affordable move, but the sense of achievement that comes from completing these smaller payments is motivational.
• Think about the consequences for each solution: Before you move forward with your plans, it’s important to consider each possible outcome. Jumping into things without taking the necessary precautions is often what gets people into tough situations in the first place. Once you have a few solutions, go through the consequences of each one and then decide what you want to do next.
• Ask for help: If you’re thousands of dollars in debt and don’t know how to fix it, ask a professional. If you feel like all of your mental health efforts have failed, speak to a therapist. If you’re struggling with addiction cravings and nothing else has worked, seek out support from a rehab center or sponsor. Our rehab offers an alumni program and relapse prevention services specifically to help people who are struggling in recovery. It’s both responsible and okay to ask for help. Don’t wait until you’re cornered to reach out for assistance.

There are many reasons why addicts struggle in recovery. Fortunately, our relapse treatment and prevention services at BHOPB teach people problem-solving activities in recovery to prepare them for life outside of rehab. If you want to take that first step towards sobriety or know someone else who does, call us now at 570-536-9621 to learn how we can help.

Related Readings: 

• The Best Sobriety Apps to Aid in Your Recovery
• Intervention Success Rate: The Success Rate is Higher with Professional Interventionists

Share this post

Alyssa is Banyan’s Director of Digital Marketing & Technology. After overcoming her own struggles with addiction, she began working in the treatment field in 2012. She graduated from Palm Beach State College in 2016 with additional education in Salesforce University programs. A part of the Banyan team since 2016, Alyssa brings over 5 years of experience in the addiction treatment field.

Related Posts

Eliminating “shame” from addiction treatment and recovery.

Introspection can lead a person to look at the pluses and minuses of life. It will cause a person to... read more

Let’s Stop Overselling 12-Step Recovery

A person recently asked me what I attribute long term recovery to. I immediately said. "Alcoholics Anonymous." We, as professionals,... read more

Forming Therapeutic Alliances

Way back in 2000 it was my job to begin to develop internship relationships with local colleges and universities. Dr.... read more

Eliminating ‘Stigma’ From the Inside Out

Eliminating addiction stigma, don’t gamble with your sobriety on super bowl sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday brings the opportunity to combine two favorite pastimes: football and excessive drinking.The big game is rapidly approaching... read more

SMART/12-Step: It’s not a contest.

A few months ago we began to offer a weekly meeting of SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) at Seaside... read more

How to Start the New Year off Strong in Recovery

BHOPB explains the best New Year’s sober goals you can make for yourself if you are in recovery. Learn more... read more

Holistic Addiction Treatment vs. Traditional Rehab

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches explains the differences between holistic addiction treatment and the traditional route. Learn more about... read more

Why A Family Program for Addiction Treatment is So Important

At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we understand the importance of a family program for addiction treatment. Learn the... read more

Tips for Divorcing an Addict

Separation is never fun, but divorcing an addict comes with even more complications. If you’re in this situation, visit BHOPB... read more

We can help.

We have beds available. call for same day admission..

Reach out online

Don’t go! We can help.

Call Now Reach out online

7 Essential Life Skills You’ll Learn in Addiction Recovery

by Henna Geronimo | Jul 14, 2023 | Addiction Recovery

Recovering from substance use disorder does not mean solely being sober. In addition to abstinence, it also involves adopting a new way of life—one that nurtures and sustains your sobriety. One way to do it is by learning essential life skills in addiction recovery.

These new life skills can help you live a fulfilling life beyond addiction. They will provide stability after recovery and further increase one’s inner strength.

From practicing good self-care to financial management, here are some essential life skills you’ll learn in addiction recovery.

Source: Oregon Trail Recovery

What Life Skills Activities Can You Learn While In Addiction Recovery?

Life skills help people think critically and creatively about solving problems and making decisions. They also enable us to build great social relationships and manage a healthy, productive life.

Below are some essential life skills that you can learn while in addiction recovery.

Practicing Good Self-Care

Without properly committing yourself to self-care, you’ll most likely be prone to relapse after your recovery. That said, the first step toward recovery would be practicing and valuing yourself. Self-care includes prioritizing your physical and mental being first and foremost. Things such as good hygiene, exercising, proper diet, and meditation are all part of taking care of one’s self.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are vital life skills in addiction recovery as it allows you to reach out to your loved ones. Mastering this skill will profoundly impact your everyday life, enabling you to communicate effectively and effortlessly with the people in your immediate environment.

It will become an integral part of your independent living skills, allowing you to navigate various social situations confidently and easily. By honing this ability, you can develop a strong foundation for building meaningful connections and engaging confidently with others.

Source: Pexels.com

Social Skills

Social skills perfectly tie in with communication skills. However, social skills focus more on the behavioral aspect of a person. Some social skills therapy methods might include one-on-one instruction for different types of social interactions and role-playing.

This can also help people dealing with social anxieties before and after recovery and further lead to new friendships or relationships, which will help your personal development. These are only a few reasons why developing social skills is crucial to addiction recovery, as it can affect how you live your life in the future.

Emotional Regulation

Learning to regulate emotions properly may be the key to preventing a person from returning to their addiction. According to Dr. Amanda L. Giordano, difficulties in emotion regulation are consistent occurrences that lead to addiction.

Learning self-control and alternative coping options to properly handle adverse outcomes in life, such as meditation or exercise, can help you regulate your emotions.

Decision-Making

Emotional regulation and decision-making skills are closely intertwined. While some argue that emotions should not influence decisions, it is vital to recognize the significance of processing emotions before reaching a conclusion. By settling down and reflecting on our feelings, we can make more informed and balanced decisions.

Decision-making can make a significant impact even before recovery. According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment , impulsive decision-makers often lead to poorer treatment outcomes and are prone to premature treatment dropouts. This means that decision-making is also a must-learn skill during recovery.

Time Management

While time management may seem restrictive for those who thrive on spontaneity, it plays a pivotal role in addiction recovery. Striking a balance between structure and flexibility is crucial as you navigate your recovery journey. This balance entails creating a daily activity plan while allowing room for adjustments when unexpected challenges arise.

Additionally, time management provides a sense of achievement when you accomplish everything you need to do within a specific timeframe. Time management can also help replace the time spent on the addiction with healthier activities that translate into life after recovery.

Financial Management

Some addictions are expensive, specifically substance abuse. Lack of money is a possible trigger for a relapse because of the negativity it invokes in a person physically and mentally. Also, a steady income is hard to obtain when going through an addiction since you’ll most likely be unfocused during work hours.

Financial management can be challenging for someone recovering, but it’s not impossible. This is where “Setting Goals” comes in. It means prioritizing needs over wants and gathering enough savings until you eventually get out of debt or have money to get that vacation you always wanted. Financial management will also lead to a fulfilling life after recovery.

Here are some tips for money management tips for addiction recovery :

• Create a budget.
• Set attainable financial goals.
• Reach out to someone for help.

In summary, practicing good self-care, communication skills, social skills, emotional regulation, decision-making, time management, and financial management are some skills you will learn throughout recovery. It’s important to value these as they will also dictate the success of your recovery and prevent relapses.

While being in recovery is a complicated process, it’s also fulfilling as you encounter a ravenous yet transformative journey to being a better person in the future. Embrace the change and growth for a fulfilling life beyond addiction.

If you know anyone suffering from addiction, the Oregon Trail Recovery is here to support you. We offer various addiction recovery programs to help you achieve sobriety. Call us to schedule an appointment.

Verify Your Insurance Coverage Today!

Take the first step towards recovery.

Are you ready to embark on your journey to recovery? We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Oregon Trail Recovery is committed to providing high-quality addiction treatment to individuals seeking a fresh start.

Warren Blake

No cookie cutter one size fits all here . Very personalized for all your treatment needs . This place is very cool not like other places at all. Your dignity and pride are intact and not stripped from you . You learn so much on a daily basis. It’s nice to feel like your life is worth it .

My experience at Oregon Trail Recovery was top tier. Very compassionate and knowledgeable staff. They genuinely want to see every person that comes in succeed and live a happy life in recovery.

Jenna Keltz

Oregon Trail Recovery is an incredible treatment center 100% dedicated to their clients and supporting them in obtaining long-term high-quality sobriety. The staff and their person centered approach made the experience comfortable and helped put my mind at ease. I’m so grateful to OTR for the second chance I now have at living a happy sober life.

The Most Valuable Coping Skills For Long-Term Recovery

Addiction recovery is a lifelong process, but effective coping skills can make a world of a difference in the ease of your journey. The key to long-term recovery doesn’t just mean not using anymore, it also means making meaningful changes in your life that make it easier to not use. This means removing factors and triggers that contributed to your addiction and replacing them with healthy coping skills. Here are a few of the most valuable coping skills we recommend for a long-term recovery:

Learn How to Relax

Many people turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve stress. There are many easier and healthier ways to effectively cope with stress and stay calm without relying on substances. Even if you stop using, you need to have a reliable way to relieve any tension in your life, otherwise you’ll likely relapse to deal with negative emotions tied to stress.

Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help you work through and accept your thoughts and emotions to stay present in the moment. These skills will help you stay calm in any situation and can help you maintain self-control, improve your mental clarity and concentration, and reduce anxiety over time.

Develop a Support Network

Loneliness is another common cause of substance use disorder (SUD) that can affect your long-term recovery. Receiving good support is essential for your journey in recovery, especially from your peers who have been in your shoes and can offer practical ways to help you cope without judgement. Instead of reaching for drugs or alcohol when you’re feeling alone, reach out to your support network. This will make abstaining from your triggers easier and can often prevent a relapse.

Best addiction recovery discussion questions

Home » Questions » Best addiction recovery discussion questions

When it comes to addiction recovery, open and honest communication is key. Engaging in discussions about addiction and recovery can help individuals gain insight, support, and encouragement on their journey towards sobriety. One effective way to facilitate these conversations is by using discussion questions. These questions can help individuals reflect on their experiences, explore their emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of addiction and recovery.

In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of addiction recovery discussion questions that can be used in support groups, therapy sessions, or personal reflections. These questions are designed to encourage deep thinking and meaningful conversations about addiction and recovery. Whether you are a counselor, a support group facilitator, or an individual seeking self-reflection, these questions can serve as powerful tools to promote healing and growth.

So, let’s dive into this list of addiction recovery discussion questions and explore the different aspects of addiction, recovery, and personal growth. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. The goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

See these Addiction Recovery Discussion Questions

• What led you to seek help for your addiction?
• How has addiction impacted your relationships?
• What are some triggers that make you want to use?
• What coping mechanisms have you found helpful in your recovery?
• What role does self-care play in your recovery?
• How has addiction affected your physical health?
• What are your biggest fears or concerns about staying sober?
• What are some lessons you have learned through your recovery journey?
• What support systems have you found helpful in your recovery?
• How do you handle cravings or urges to use?
• What are some healthy hobbies or activities you have discovered in recovery?
• How has addiction affected your mental health?
• What are some challenges you have faced in your recovery?
• What are some positive changes you have noticed since becoming sober?
• How do you deal with stress in your recovery?
• What role does spirituality play in your recovery?
• How have your priorities shifted since entering recovery?
• What are some goals you have for your future in recovery?
• How do you handle setbacks or relapses in your recovery?
• What are some misconceptions about addiction that you would like to address?
• What are some self-destructive behaviors you have engaged in during your addiction?
• How has addiction impacted your financial situation?
• What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with addiction?
• What are some healthy ways to handle difficult emotions in recovery?
• How has addiction affected your self-esteem?
• What are some warning signs of potential relapse?
• What steps do you take to maintain your sobriety?
• How has your support system changed since entering recovery?
• What are some ways to rebuild trust in relationships damaged by addiction?
• How do you define success in your recovery?
• What are some common misconceptions about recovery?
• What are some healthy ways to cope with stress in recovery?
• How has addiction affected your career or education?
• What are some strategies for managing cravings in recovery?
• What role does forgiveness play in the recovery process?
• How do you handle negative influences or triggers in your life?
• What are some strategies for improving self-discipline in recovery?
• How has addiction affected your sense of identity?
• What are some important qualities to look for in a sponsor or support system?
• How do you maintain motivation in your recovery?
• What are some ways to rebuild trust in yourself after addiction?
• How has addiction affected your family dynamics?
• What are some strategies for managing stress without relying on substances?
• What are some potential benefits of participating in a recovery support group?

These addiction recovery discussion questions are just the beginning. Use them as a starting point for meaningful conversations and reflections on addiction and recovery. Remember, recovery is a lifelong journey, and having open discussions can provide valuable insights and support along the way.

Related Post:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Best honeywell interview questions

Best grounding quotes yoga

Best honesty test questions

Best groundhog day quotes ned

Best honesty questions

Best griselda blanco quotes

© the narratologist 2024

Call: 877-355-8840

• How to Use the Skill of Problem-Solving

To solve issues, it's not enough to identify their causes; instead, one must make concerted efforts to craft a strategy for effecting change. Specific topics that arise in regular life may be addressed using these methods. The ultimate purpose of problem-solving is to facilitate behavioral modification. As whole, dysfunctional behaviors are issues that must be addressed.

When an unpleasant feeling is consistent with the realities of the situation, it's time to do some problem-solving. In addition, the ability to figure out solutions is crucial for making one's life worthwhile. It's a fundamental ability for dealing with or taming difficult emotions. 

Complicated feelings might shift as you work through problems: The goal of the method of problem-solving is to remove the source of negative feelings from the scenario. When the circumstance justifies the feeling one wishes to alter, changing the situation may be the most excellent method to change the emotion. 

When responding to a stressful situation based on emotions is unlikely to be productive, it might be helpful to use problem-solving skills instead. The possibility of successfully dealing with various challenging circumstances increases when problem-solving is used as a coping technique. Unlike other abilities that become second nature with experience, problem-solving is often an active process that requires a deliberate and concentrated effort directed at coming up with and implementing novel approaches to resolving daily challenges.

Recognizing the existence of an issue is the first step toward resolving it. Even if we can't instantly perceive what may be done to modify a situation or interact differently with a person, we need to solve problems when they arise because of the unpleasant or harmful feelings they elicit. Examples of when to use problem-solving include the following: 

• Problem-solving is required when avoiding situations or people who trigger unpleasant feelings prevents us from achieving our goals. 
• Problem-solving is required in one-off scenarios, such as when one does not have transportation to a medical visit or when an illness suddenly strikes one. 
• Repeatedly having a person misunderstand you is an example of a recurring issue that may be solved. 
• One chronically problematic conduct is the inability to refrain from participating in harmful or counterproductive actions. Self-injury, drug misuse, irrational outbursts, and failing to complete schoolwork or therapy sessions all fall under this category. 
• Problem-solving may be most urgently required in the face of persistent circumstances that cause ongoing suffering, such as staying in an abusive relationship or doing a job one despises daily.

The Fundamentals of Problem-Solving 

We must first examine the available facts. Then, please explain what it is about this troublesome scenario. The adverse outcomes that result from the circumstances should be acknowledged. 

• I'm scared I'll miss a significant appointment since I don't have a ride there. 
• When I am sick, it's challenging to focus on my work and do my best, making me anxious about my performance. 
• When my friend misunderstands me, it causes tension between us and makes me want to quit communicating with them. 

Next, explain the problems and conflicts or other roadblocks preventing you from finding a solution. 

• I can't find a means to get to my appointment on time.
• I can't afford the medication I need to get sick. 
• She is my only friend, and I'm worried about alienating her and losing her relationship.

You should now verify the intensity of these problems you've identified using the facts and determine the accuracy of your information. In most cases, our reactions are based on how we see things rather than how things are. This is a crucial stage since our understanding might be right or wrong. 

It's easy to catastrophize and make a situation much worse than it is, so when you've established what the facts are and aren't, evaluate how stressful the scenario is. 

If you're having trouble finding a solution, take a closer look at the specifics of any lingering problems. When you're feeling down, it's natural to focus on many more issues than exist. For example,  an argument between two people could seem like a big deal while you're in a bad mood but a weak interaction when you're feeling happy.

If reality testing doesn't help with negative feelings, we need to determine whether to attempt problem-solving or do the opposite. Doing the opposite of what you feel compelled to do may profoundly affect your mood. Emotions may be altered by finding a solution, avoiding, or changing the triggering situation.

A luxury dual diagnosis treatment center like Wish Recovery can help you manage your emotions and recover from substance misuse.

Related Posts

Holistic, Luxury, Inpatient, Psychiatrist, Dual Diagnosis , Individual rooms with private bathrooms, Best Clinical team, Individual approach, Continuing care

Your brain adapts to substances with continued use, which makes stopping hard. It requires the right treatment to re-program your mind to live without them.

Using dialectical behavioral therapy to treat addiction is very popular and successful. Learn about acceptance-based and change-focused skills in recovery.

• The Optimal Inpatient Experience: Treatment Designed for You
• Why can’t I stop drinking so much or using drugs?
• Treating Substance Use Disorder with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• What are the Stages of Recovery?
• Basic Details about NAD + Treatment in Addiction Recovery
• Better Chances of No More AUD Symptoms After Treatment in Alcohol Rehab
• 4 Ways a Residential Rehab Can Help You Cope with Relapse
• The Deadly Truth About Drinking and Driving
• Drug Use in Silicon Valley: Dysfunctional Fused Drug and Work Cultures
• The Stages of Addiction
• How Does Self-Acceptance Relate to Addiction Recovery?
• Does Marijuana Increase Sensuality and Lead to More Stimulating Sex?
• What is Nad+ Therapy: Infographic
• Keeping Your Job While Going to Rehab: How to Balance Career With Recovery
• Your New Life Begins Again Today
• Easing the Power of Trauma with EMDR
• The Major Differences Between In-residence and Outpatient Detox
• Four Cognitive Distortions that Get in the Way of Recovery
• Introducing Intravenous Detox: The Next Step in Safe, Medically Supervised Recovery
• Start Prioritizing Self-Care for Tremendous Success and Sustainability at any Stage of Your Addiction Recovery
• Releasing the First in a New Series Exploring "Substance Use as an Emotional Response"
• Exploring Emotional Responses without Saying “Yes, but”
• Wish Recovery’s First Responders Program: Helping Our Heroes Heal
• Am I an Alcoholic If I Binge Drink?
• Coping with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
• Controlling Emotionally Driven Behavior through Opposite Action
• What is NAD+ Therapy and How Can it Help Me During Detox?
• Prioritizing the Mental Health of Law Enforcement with Rehab for Police
• Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Narcotics
• Liquid Courage or Liquid Fear: Revealing the True Relationship Between Alcohol and Anxiety
• How the Rat Race and Stress Can Put You at Greater Risk of Misusing Substances and How to Cope
• Understanding Substance Misuse, Abuse, Dependence and Addiction
• So, You’re 30 Days Sober… Now, What?
• Breaking the Cycle: The Complexities and Solutions of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Recovery Types: The Differences Between Passive and Active Recovery
• Understanding Addiction Treatment
• 3 Components of Successful Sobriety
• Have You Heard About These Lesser-Known Benefits of Addiction Recovery?
• A Brief History of the Word Addiction
• The Addiction Withdrawal Timeline
• ISO Is a Deadly Reason for Concern
• Burning Bridges and Urge Surfing in Recovery
• A 9/11 Massacre Every Other Week: The Dangers of Fentanyl and What You Should Know
• Debunking Myths About Drug Addiction
• ADHD and Substance Use Disorder: The Connection, The Challenges and the Solutions
• The Impact of Primary and Secondary Emotions on Substance Abuse
• Recovering Family Members: 5 Tips for Support
• The Role of Family Support in Recovery
• Overcoming Shame and Guilt in Recovery and Strategies for Self-Forgiveness and Healing
• Clear Mind Vs. Addiction Mind & Clean Mind
• Understanding the Functioning Substance User
• Coping With Relapse and Seasonal Affective Disorder During the Holidays
• Recovery and the Family
• What Does It Mean to Practice Self-Care in Recovery?
• COVID-19 vs. Addiction - Disease of Isolation?
• The Importance of Aftercare in Sustaining Addiction Recovery
• Untangling the Threads: A Deep Dive into the Complex Intersection of Substance Use and Eating Disorders
• Why Should I Choose Luxury Drug Treatment Vs. a Rehab Near Me?
• Alcohol Sabotages Sleep Hygiene and Prevents REM Rest
• Decoding Excellence: A Deep Dive into What Makes a Rehab One of the Best Addiction Treatment Centers
• Focus on Growth and Healing: Why Many Drug Rehabs Don’t Take Animals
• Understanding the Science of Addiction & Recovery
• Medical Supervision for Alcohol Detox
• The Ripple Effect: Understanding the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction
• Use Judgment Diffusion in Recovery to Let Go
• Firefighter Addiction Recovery Through the Fire: Extinguishing Substance Abuse
• Maximizing LGBTQ+ Addiction Recovery: Effective Strategies
• Everything You Need to Know About the Holistic Approach to Addiction & Dual Diagnosis Treatment: The Definitive Guide
• The Differences Between Drug Addiction and Obsession
• Why are Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use often Mentioned Together?
• 5 Tips for Staying Sober During the Holidays
• Unlocking the Secret to Addiction Recovery: The Power of the Mind-Body Connection
• Finding the Path to Sobriety: Exploring the Role of the Best Alcohol Rehabs in Successful Recovery Journeys
• Social Media’s Impact on Addiction Recovery: Staying Connected Without Triggering a Relapse
• Thinking of Quitting Cold Turkey? Don't! Medical Detox Can Help Get Your Life Back On Track!
• When a Drink is More Than Just a Drink: Understanding Cultural Alcoholism and Social Drinking
• Boundaries & Toxic Relationships: Mental Wellness in Recovery.
• Understanding Outpatient Treatment with Housing in Los Angeles County
• How Do You Deal with Dual Diagnosis?
• Understanding Dual Diagnosis, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Integrated Treatment
• California’s Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment
• Normalize Relapses to Focus More on Recovery from the Inevitable
• Using CBT for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
• Is Self-Medicating with Drugs and Alcohol Like Addiction?
• What is Luxury Rehab?
• How to Be the Best Version of Oneself with 7 Tenets of Transformation in Recovery
• Understanding the Different Levels of Care in Continuum Treatment for Substance Abuse
• Recovery Capital: Knowing the Value of Your Healing
• The California Detox Difference
• Things You Need to Know Before Quitting Drugs
• Prevalence and Prevention of Fentanyl Abuse and Overdose
• Using Smartphone Recovery Apps
• Individual Therapy vs Group Therapy
• When Prescription Drug Use Becomes Abuse: How to Spot the Signs
• Exploring the Benefits and Effectiveness of Holistic Drug Rehab Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
• Best Substance Abuse Treatment Covered by Insurance
• The Newness of You: Building a New Life After Addiction
• Outside the Box: Non-Traditional Ways to Find Support in Recovery
• Building a Strong Foundation: The Power of Structure and Routine in Recovery
• The Role of Acupuncture in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
• After Detox and Drug Rehab, How Do You Find Work?
• New Year Resolutions to Quit Drugs or Alcohol Aren’t Ideal
• Healing from Addiction with the Brain's Neuroplasticity
• How to Use Chain Analysis to Stop Substance Abuse
• CASE STUDY | WISH RECOVERY
• How to Use Missing-Links Analysis to Keep from Relapsing
• 5 Unbeatable Pieces of a Relapse Prevention Plan
• Cultural Alcoholism and Drinking Cultures Around the World

Get a Consultation Right Now!

We are a group of professional and experienced psychologists and psychiatrists

Get a free, confidential consultation

Cookie and privacy settings.

At wishrehab.com , we respect your privacy and want to ensure you have full control over your online experience. To enhance your visit and tailor content to your interests, we use cookies, including third-party cookies. By clicking on "Accept all", you agree to the saving and reading of information on your end device.

For detailed information on the use and management of cookies, please click on "Customise". By clicking on "Reject", you reject the use of cookies that require consent.

How we use cookies?

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies?

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Alcohol Use Disorder

• Binge Drinking
• Drinking Problem

Illegal Drug Addiction

Prescriptions.

• Benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants
• Inpatient Rehab
• Residential Rehab

Alcohol Rehab

• Methadone Clinics
• Sober Living
• Family Therapy

Recovery Programs

• 12-Step Programs
• SMART Recovery
• Families of Addicts

Early Recovery

• Stages of Change
• Handle Triggers
• Rehab Insights

Sustained Recovery

• Sober Curious Life

Long-Term Recovery

• Jellinek Curve
• Life After Rehab

Find Treatment

• Find Addiction Center
• Find Suboxone Center

Setting Healthy Boundaries After Addiction Recovery

In This Article

Recovering from an addiction is a lifelong process, and it can take a lot of effort to rebuild one’s life. Because of that, it’s important to know your way around social situations and relationships to maintain your sobriety.

Healthy boundaries can help protect your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This is great for avoiding triggers, developing coping skills, and fostering a conducive environment for continued recovery. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of setting boundaries and provide some tips on how to set them effectively. 

How to Set Healthy Boundaries

The first step in setting boundaries is understanding your needs, limits, and triggers. The best way to do this is to identify situations or behaviors that trigger addictive behaviors and what you need to do to avoid them.

Once you know the things you need and the things you need to avoid, here are some things you can do to establish boundaries:

• Communicate clearly: Discuss your needs in a clear way and be assertive but respectful when establishing boundaries.
• Use “I” statements: These can help express your needs while avoiding blaming or criticizing others. 
• Be consistent: Stick to your limits, and don’t make exceptions. Making small concessions or compromises can lead to confusion and weaken your boundaries. 
• Spend time with supportive people: Avoid spending time with people who disregard your boundaries or trigger addictive behaviors.
• Learn to say no: Prioritize your needs and say no in a firm but polite way, especially if they’re bringing you to places or situations that can trigger a relapse.
• Find support: Don’t hesitate to look to your loved ones or support groups for help. They can help keep you accountable and maintain healthy boundaries.

It’s important to understand that your boundaries can change throughout your recovery journey. Track your needs, limits, and triggers to make necessary adjustments to your boundaries.

What are Examples of Unhealthy Boundaries?

Throughout your recovery, it might be difficult to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy boundaries. This is because people in recovery often feel guilt, fear rejection, and want to please others.

These feelings can warp your perception of boundaries, which can be detrimental to your recovery. Some examples of unhealthy boundaries include:

• Feeling responsible for others’ feelings and actions
• People-pleasing to avoid conflict or gain approval
• Manipulating or controlling others to get what we want
• Not prioritizing yourself and lacking self-care

Overcoming these challenges may require patience, practice, and sometimes professional guidance from a therapist or counselor.

Why are Boundaries Important?

Boundaries help define acceptable and unacceptable behaviors for yourself and others. They can help protect you from harmful influences and maintain a sense of control or security. 

It can prevent relapses by helping you avoid situations or people that may trigger addictive behaviors. Boundaries can even help establish trust and build healthy relationships with others.

They’re a form of self-care and self-respect, as they demonstrate your commitment to improving yourself and your well-being. It can also help others understand your values and goals.

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

• Professional and effective
• Affordable and convenient
• Personalized and discreet
• Easy to start

Answer a few questions to get started

What Are the Challenges of Setting Boundaries?

Aside from difficult feelings like fear, guilt, and shame, recovery can bring up other difficult emotions. This can cause conflicts with others or even trigger a relapse.

Some challenges you may face when setting boundaries in recovery include:

• Feeling selfish for prioritizing your needs
• Fear abandonment from loved ones who may not respect your boundaries
• Challenging old beliefs or behaviors that enable unhealthy boundaries
• Difficulty communicating boundaries to others due to fear of conflict or confrontation

Setting healthy boundaries is a key component for maintaining sobriety and living a life after addiction. It can help keep you sober, protect your emotional well-being, and enable healthy relationships.

Understanding your needs and communicating them effectively can go a long way in your recovery journey.

What's Next?

• What Is Rehab Like?
• Why Call an Addiction Hotline?
• How to Sober Up
• Tapering off of alcohol

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Related Articles

How Resilience Helps You in Addiction Recovery

Medically Reviewed by: Elena

Paranoid Personality Disorder: Addiction Risks, Signs, and Treatment

Medically Reviewed by: Annamarie Coy

Anxiety and Sobriety: Coping Strategies

Autism and addiction: understand risks and treatment needs, panic disorder: signs, symptoms, and treatment options, the link between gender dysphoria and addiction.

• Melemis SM. “ Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery. ” Yale J Biol Med, 2015.
• Lander et al. “ The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: from theory to practice. ” Soc Work Public Health, 2013.
• Brown, T. “ Why is Setting Boundaries in Recovery So Important. ” Midwest Recovery Centers.
• “ The Role of Setting Boundaries in Addiction Recovery. ” New Leaf Recovery Project, 2024. 
• “ Boundaries in Addiction Recovery. ” Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 2018.
• Guenzel N. & McChargue D. “ Addiction Relapse Prevention. ” Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2023.

Related Pages

• How Resilience Helps You in Addiction Recovery Emotional resilience is the inner strength that helps you adapt...
• Paranoid Personality Disorder: Addiction Risks, Signs, and Treatment Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a mental health condition where...
• Anxiety and Sobriety: Coping Strategies Anxiety disorders often involve a long-lasting and intense worry or...
• Autism and Addiction: Understand Risks and Treatment Needs Autism is a neurological condition that affects how people perceive...
• Panic Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options A panic attack feels like a surge of intense fear⁠—your...
• The Link Between Gender Dysphoria and Addiction Gender dysphoria is a feeling of mismatch between a person’s...

Evidence Based

Who answers.

The rural Utah community at the crossroads of the fentanyl epidemic

Utah has seen an influx of fentanyl into the state. what happens to the rural communities traffickers drive through as they distribute drugs.

By Hanna Seariac

PRICE, Utah — The highway headed into Price, Utah, has more roadkill on it than moving cars. Through the windy canyons, there is an abandoned, sunken ghost town and periods of time without cellphone reception. Highway 6 may seem out-of-sight and out-of-mind to northern city slickers, but it is one of the routes drug traffickers take to distribute fentanyl and heroin to dealers across the state.

Price, in the heart of Utah’s Carbon County, is at the crossroads of a growing, deadly drug problem in Utah.

With a population of just over 8,000 residents, this rural city has seen the devastation of opioid addiction and fentanyl use firsthand. Many residents work blue-collar jobs with a higher potential for on-the-job injuries and the county’s poverty rate exceeds what is typically seen on the Wasatch Front.

The rate of opioid-related deaths in Carbon County and its two neighboring counties, Grand and Emery, overwhelmingly exceeds the state’s death rate. Utah’s overall rate is 18.3 deaths per 100,000 people, but these counties on the highway from Mexico to Salt Lake City see a death rate of 42.7 per 100,000 people, according to the most recent data on the Utah Department of Health and Human Services from 2021. The rate of opioid prescriptions? It is also higher.

Numbers yet to be finalized for 2023 expected to be released in an analysis later this month show a dramatic rise.

Fentanyl has become “the most significant drug threat,” according to a recent report from the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the group appointed by the White House to coordinate federal, state, and local response to violent drug trafficking organizations.

“Unprecedented levels of availability and demand have flooded the region with fentanyl pills, and increasingly, fentanyl powder,” the report read. “A significant decline in price, high potency, and common use in polydrug compounds which continues to drive fatal overdoses, elevates the threat of fentanyl throughout local communities in the Rocky Mountain region.”

To understand the fentanyl epidemic, the Deseret News searched through years of data and interviewed more than 20 people connected to the crisis, including those in recovery, former fentanyl distributors, law enforcement officials and recovery specialists. This is the first in a series of articles analyzing the problem and seeking potential solutions.

More potent than morphine, fentanyl has flooded the streets. According to the DEA, 7 out of every 10 fentanyl pills contain a lethal dose. And as fentanyl is on the rise, so are two other opioids — xylazine and carfentanil. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid, like fentanyl, but stronger. It is used for tranquilizing elephants and other large mammals. It is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and can be lethal at a mere 2-milligrams (a fraction of a penny), said Bill Newell, coordinator for the Utah Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Xylazine, sometimes called tranq, is a sedative and muscle relaxer used on animals. On the streets, it is mixed with fentanyl. Naloxone, used to combat heroin, will not reverse an overdose.

The vast majority of fentanyl is manufactured outside the U.S., says Dustin Gillespie, the acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Division. Fentanyl is made by the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels in Mexico, said Gillespie, who along with other DEA agents, Enoch Smith and Brandon Scott, spoke to the Deseret News at the DEA’s Salt Lake City office.

“They need to get the precursor chemicals from somewhere and they don’t produce those in Mexico,” said Gillespie. “So, they have to get them from China, and to a lesser extent India.” Since those precursor chemicals have legitimate uses, it makes it difficult to monitor.

The chemicals are mislabeled when they are shipped from China to Mexico, and the cartels will acquire them at ports along the western seaboard, said Gillespie. The fentanyl drug market is decentralized because it does not take much equipment to make the drug.

“It’s all through extortion and violence. There is no retirement plan,” said Gillespie. People who make fentanyl often die due to exposure or are killed by the cartel, Gillespie explained.

The cartels have oversaturated the market with fentanyl and Price, seat of Carbon County, sits right on a highway drug traffickers use.

Jackson: ‘This is my opportunity to live the life I should have lived’

Price resident Allison Jackson is someone who knows firsthand the devastating impact opioids can have. After police arrested Jackson for drug distribution, she sat in the Emery County jail for two months wondering how she got there. Jackson’s drug addiction started when she was 28 years old after a doctor prescribed her pain medication.

Jackson said she experienced withdrawals after the pills were abruptly taken away. As a young mother of four children at the time, she said going through these withdrawals took away time from her children and she had the itch to find more pills. So she did.

And then she developed an addiction to opioids and eventually heroin.

“Continuing in my addiction instead of seeking help sooner means I walked away from my kids, my home, any relationship that was meaningful to me because my addiction had control,” Jackson said in an interview.

Life during addiction was misery, said Jackson. She and her husband — who also suffered from substance use disorder — fought with each other. Fearful of jobs that might drug test her, she worked under the table. She wasn’t able to see her children.

Going to jail was “very eye-opening.”

Jackson had two months to contemplate her life and started to realize why she used drugs to feel numb. As a child, she said she experienced abuse. Her sense of self-worth was obliterated and she didn’t have a vision of a better life for herself. Jail changed that. She connected with a jailer who was able to relate to her.

“I started praying again when I was in Emery County jail and that helped a lot,” said Jackson. “It was just asking for the strength to get through this, asking for the strength of knowing what to do and just having the feeling that I was on the right path.”

The path Jackson found was drug court, which she described as her “saving grace.”

Her road to recovery started because she said she wanted more out of life. She entered drug court in March 2023 and quit using for 4½ months. Her husband was considered “an association” due to his active use, so she had to cut contact with him. She had a relapse when they reconnected and she went to jail again.

The drug crisis in Price

“I think our fentanyl problem stems from prescription abuse and prescription addiction,” said Alyssa Potter, a prevention specialist in Carbon County, adding that coal miners and oil field workers sometimes get injured at work and are prescribed opioids to cope with the pain. Other recovery specialists said the same thing — and added that these workers often cannot afford to take off work due to the rising cost of living in the area.

“It starts at a basic level: a person gets injured, has to go to work, takes prescription opiates to combat pain,” said Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood while sitting in his office.

It is something Wood has become familiar with over the years. But fentanyl has added a more terrifying dynamic into the mix. Wood said on the streets, there are both “blues” — a term for fentanyl pills — and other drugs like heroin and cocaine laced with fentanyl.

“We’ve seen it really ramp up in the last couple of years,” said Wood. He said it has been scary for him and those in his office to see people come into jail addicted to opiates, get off their medication while incarcerated and then die of an overdose a few days after they leave.

“Everyone knows somebody that’s affected by this,” said Wood.

Carbon County is hit hard by fentanyl, but so is the rest of the state. It has surpassed methamphetamine as the No. 1 narcotic found in state lab testing of drugs in Utah. “I have a fear that fentanyl is going to be firmly entrenched in first place for a long time,” said Newell.

The most recent data shows 299 Utahns died in 2023 as the result of a fentanyl-involved overdose, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. That is up from 182 deaths in 2022, 170 in 2021 and 125 in 2020.

Fentanyl accounted for over 43% of all drug overdose deaths in 2023.

“It’s a drug that reaches all classes of our society and it’s highly addictive,” said Tanner Jensen, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Statewide Information.

The number of fentanyl busts by police agencies has also steadily risen, said Jensen. Five years ago, task forces across the state seized close to zero pills and this year is shaping up to be the biggest year for fentanyl seizures yet. Now, driven by Mexican cartels, operations have seized more than 774,000 fentanyl pills, with nearly half a year remaining. In addition to seizing fentanyl pills, Jensen said the labs are seeing fentanyl mixed with other drugs.

Recovering in Price

Four Corners Community Behavioral Health social detox program manager Savannah Eley knows exactly what it is like to recover from an opioid use disorder. She took a Percocet after struggling with postpartum depression and eventually started using harder drugs.

Eley said she had to white-knuckle it during her recovery because there were not a lot of resources available.

“When I got sober, there wasn’t even a recovery meeting,” said Eley. Now seven years later, she helps people recover. There are different options for substance use recovery programs — but none are in-patient, the closest in-patient service is in Utah County. There are Narcotics Anonymous meetings and a syringe exchange program.

There is even a new crisis receiving center where Eley, Four Corners case worker and program director Cacilia Jensen works. The center is located near the Price downtown area and has a homey feel with a living room area for playing board games and watching movies.

It is the first crisis center for people experiencing substance use disorders or mental health crises in rural Utah. Eley said the center is important because it offers another option for people going through detox. Oftentimes, people in the area will go to the hospital to detox and rack up a $20,000 bill, but Eley said, social detox at the crisis center offers a more affordable option.

Both Jensen and Eley called the center a win for Utah, but also said people outside of rural Utah sometimes do not know how to best address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in these areas.

As an example, Jensen spoke about telehealth services like a virtual crisis outreach team. While in theory, telemedicine seems like it could be a boon for rural communities which struggle to attract people who are willing to work for a lower-paying salary in a remote area, in practice, success is elusive.

In addition to the isolation created just from having to drive through canyons to get to Price, Carbon County has unique struggles when it comes to recovery such as housing, transportation, staffing and stigma.

“Our cost of living within the last five to six years has skyrocketed,” said Jensen, adding that it mirrors urban centers, but wages have not kept up. There is no homeless shelter in the city and there are not many affordable options for housing.

“It’s not safe for individuals sometimes,” said Jensen, adding they have to refer out to urban areas, especially during the cold winters and hot summers, because it can be difficult to find a housing solution. Relocating for these individuals usually means losing their job because they have to relocate north.

As for transportation, if you do not have a car, Jensen said it is difficult to get around. “We don’t have a bus system, we don’t have taxis. There’s no Uber. There’s no Lyft.” So, if you live a couple towns over and Price is the closest area with a recovery center, it would not be safe or practical to travel over on foot.

Staffing recovery centers can also be difficult because it is a remote area and the salaries are lower.

“We’re a small community, so stigma plays a huge role in someone getting help, asking for help, admitting they need help,” said Eley. Being around the same people your whole life may make it harder to feel like you can admit you have a problem. And then, other times, the addiction is generational — it can be all you know.

“Just generation after generation, addiction is kind of the culture … in some families,” said Jensen. Eley remembered working at a detox facility and speaking with a young woman who had overdosed multiple times. The first time she used meth was when she was 11 years-old with her mother.

“You’re watching your parents cope with difficult days using substances or you’re using substances together with your parents,” said Eley. “You grow up, in a way, thinking this is normal.”

Just a couple minutes drive away, there is another recovery center called Life Balance Recovery. Susanna McGee said she ended up coming down here because of the lack of resources.

“In Salt Lake City, there’s AA meetings, 12-step meetings, every day — multiple ones a day. And down here, there’s one AA meeting a day, and two, three NA meetings a week,” said McGee. She also said there were issues with housing.

While people can couch surf or live in hotels when they are homeless, said McGee, that does not last long and it is hard for those individuals to stay sober.

Mersades Morgan, peer recovery coach at Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness in Price, said there can be a “revolving door” of barriers individuals face when they are trying to get treatment. If they don’t have a car, they might not be able to maintain a job or go to doctor’s visits, which impacts their ability to recover.

Without a car, Morgan said a person in recovery might not be able to visit with their children.

“If you do have a criminal record, you have a hard time finding employment,” said Morgan. However, USARA has created a list of workplaces in the area that do allow people with criminal records a second chance to give people a starting point.

Morgan said the generational nature of substance use disorder can have ripple effects that might not be expected — like a person never getting their driver’s license and then having to do that later in life. “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

“Sometimes it’s just about sitting with someone and sitting in the dark if you need to — holding their hand through the process. We meet people where they’re at,” said Morgan. “We just don’t leave them there.”

There are also community efforts to prevent opioid and fentanyl addiction in the first place. Potter has worked on campaigns in the community to educate them about the impact of opioids. In addition to billboards, they wrapped 10 semi-trucks with messaging about the resources that are available to them.

“The public isn’t aware of the risks or things that are available for them, then that’s a huge barrier,” said Potter. She and other prevention specialists are laser-focused about getting the word out because, as she said, fentanyl is especially dangerous.

“Because of the high potency being found in fentanyl, a lot of the deaths we’re seeing from fentanyl overdose are just a one-time use and just that high risk of one time could be the time that takes your life,” said Potter.

How fentanyl gets to Utah

Nature is not involved in the production of fentanyl, said Newell. That is why Mexican cartels turned to manufacturing it as opposed to other drugs which come from natural substances.

Scott, who has worked at the southern border, said the most fentanyl comes into the U.S. from semitractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. The cartels will do this by hollowing out the floor of trailers and stuffing pills inside car engines.

“It’s just through sheer volume of the amount of vehicles that cross the border,” said Smith. “At any given time, they will often use tactics that are what they refer to as suicide loads where they’ll send a car over that will get intentionally stopped.” Then, when law enforcement stops this car and seizes fentanyl, other cars get through.

Once it crosses the border, Smith said it often comes up to Utah through I-15 out of Los Angeles or San Diego. Sometimes they will be driven straight up the highway to Salt Lake City and other times they will divert onto Highway 6 or Redwood Road.

Though the drug manufacturing process is decentralized, the transportation process is not, said Gillespie. Cartels know who is handling the product and where it is going. But once it is handed out to different distributors in a city, it comes decentralized.

“What’s made that even more difficult and challenging for law enforcement is the fact that with prices so low and availability of pills so high, those barriers to entry to becoming a distributor or becoming a low to mid-level distributor of pills are now gone,” said Gillespie.

With the prices so low, the availability of pills so high and 7 in 10 fentanyl pills containing a lethal dose, the influx of fentanyl has created a crisis in Utah and across the country. But what these three agents said the public does not understand is the cruelty that exists top to bottom.

Gillespie has listened to wiretaps of cartel members laughing about overdose deaths because for the cartel members, it means the demand for the product increases.

“I think that’s what people don’t realize is that the cartels, they don’t care. They don’t care about killing our kids,” said Scott. “They don’t care about more and more people developing substance use disorders.”

Fentanyl is connected to gang activity in Utah, said Scott, explaining drug trafficking, money laundering, extremism and violence go hand-in-hand. The people arrested for drug distribution often have extensive violent criminal histories, he said.

Even setting all that violence aside, Smith said fentanyl itself is still violent. It has a disastrous impact on families, society and personal relationships.

“It’s not a victimless crime,” said Smith.

Keeping the community safe

The relationship between law enforcement and recovery specialists is not adversarial.

McGee and another specialist go into the Carbon County jail once a week. They can only go see the women. She goes to show there is support in the town for the women struggling with addiction, but she laments that the men — who are more likely to struggle with opioid and fentanyl addiction — have a huge resource gap. Morgan called the Price City Police Department “one of our strongest partnerships” and “big advocates” for recovery work.

Law enforcement officials said the lack of resources in the immediate area pose an issue for them, too.

There are people who get arrested for possession while in active addiction — they are not in a place where they want to start treatment. “We find our jails get used a lot for that and it’s really not the place for those folks,” said Wood. “These folks probably ought to be in some kind of a structured treatment program like you would see on the Wasatch Front.”

Wood said he would also like to see a fast-track option for prosecutors to help people get into drug court sooner because right now prosecution is months behind on its caseload. “Here in Carbon County, we have an opening for a deputy county attorney that hasn’t been filled for quite a while and it’s just not being able to find an attorney that’ll work for the wage.”

“We want to protect our community and we want to make sure people are safe, but we also have empathy for folks that are struggling with addiction.” Wood said rural counties have fought for years for an in-patient facility, but there are not enough people in the area to sustain a business.

Brandon Ratcliffe, captain for the Price City Police Department, said the city does have a drug task force to try to identify the distributors in the area.

“It’s been difficult with that: our task force is made up of two people, and for the last two and a half years, we’ve only had one,” said Ratcliffe. “We have one guy trying to put out a fire with a garden hose.”

Ratcliffe said the price of fentanyl is around $5 a dose in the area. While it is higher than urban areas like Salt Lake City, it is a cheap drug on the market. Heroin costs around $20 to $25 a dose. But they have found fentanyl in just about every drug.

“We understand that every substance abuse issue is an issue, but we try to prioritize what’s most likely to have the greatest effect on our community,” said Ratcliffe. “And right now, it’s obviously a life you can’t put a price on. If we can prevent one overdose, then that’s what we’re going after.”

Before Ratcliffe was captain, he worked on the drug task force and arrested one of the most efficient dealers. After she got out of prison, she sent him a message of appreciation. Now she helps out with law enforcement training, has had a large amount of her record expunged and has received college degrees.

People like her made the job worth it, Ratcliffe said. Other officers in the department have forged similar relationships with the community. He said one of the biggest struggles they face is lack of funding. The cost of living has increased dramatically, but their wages have not — the city council did not deliver on a significant increase Ratcliffe thought they would give this year and also, decreased the typical 2% increase down to 1%.

“It’s a little disheartening and frustrating because we don’t want to leave,” said Ratcliffe. “We love our community, but ultimately, the community is going to feel it if we start losing our officers.”

Wood said illicit drugs come through Highway 10 off of the main pipeline of I-70 as well as Highway 6. “We have deputies that are involved in interdiction, but it’s on a smaller scale just because we don’t have the resources to assign somebody to only that,” he said, adding Utah Highway Patrol’s interdiction team is often helpful.

Drugs mostly move through the county, said Wood, and fentanyl in particular moves from Mexico through border states like California, Arizona and Texas up through Utah. Fentanyl has posed a safety concern for officers because if they get fentanyl on them, they can absorb it.

“The fentanyl dealers themselves probably never touch the stuff,” said Wood. “They’re just feeding it off to someone else. They’re addicted to money.”

Calling it a money-driven business, Wood said he wants to see the fentanyl stopped at the border before it even gets to Carbon County and impacts the people there.

“You may know somebody that lives on your block (in bigger cities), but you may not really know them,” said Wood. “And by that, I mean, you didn’t grow up with them. You didn’t know them from the time they were a kindergarten kid until the time they were an adult and that’s the people that live here.”

Jackson: Finding hope and recovery in Price

Since Jackson’s last stint in jail, she has lived a sober life and progressed to the third phase of drug court. She continues to receive counseling for past trauma, takes classes and now has a job she loves working at a local hotel. After four years without seeing her children, Jackson has reunited with them.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Jackson beaming as she explained she has started to rebuild her relationship with her children. She said she has found happiness in everyday life. She deeply connects with people and has rekindled a love of reading as she now can concentrate on the pages better.

When Jackson was a kid, her grandmother told her to always choose love, no matter what happens to you. “Love is the light, and that is one of the ways I live now,” she said. Whether it’s checking a guest into the hotel or having a conversation with a loved one, Jackson said she is now the happiest she has ever been.

But tragedy and difficulties have also accompanied her recovery. Jackson lost her husband to a drug overdose — the same night she was reunited again with her children. She had dealt with heart problems stemming from a heart attack and complications from her addiction.

Still, Jackson now dreams of a future where she helps people who experience substance use disorder and has discovered qualities about herself that she loves like her newfound positive outlook on life and her problem-solving skills. She said she looks forward to phase five of drug court because she wants to do a community project. Her friend, a Price police officer, has encouraged her during her recovery and is helping her find a project.

“This is my opportunity to live the life I should have lived. That I’m going to live,” Jackson said.

The number of resources in Carbon and Emery counties for those wishing to recover has increased even just in the last couple years, said Jackson. Recovery center employees and law enforcement both echoed Jackson’s observations — the community has rallied together more resources — just not enough.