SECTION A.

Substance abuse/ addiction is a chronic condition involving compulsive drug and/ or alcohol use that can adversely impact a person’s life including; physical and mental health, family and relationships, employment and finances.

What Are The Theories Behind This Worksheet?

Behavioural therapy is the most utilized type of treatment for addiction that is frequently used during substance rehabilitation. The behavioural therapeutic approach has been adapted into a variety of effective techniques that include:

• Individual, Group & Family Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT encourages patients to recognize and change their maladaptive behaviours by introducing healthy and positive coping skills. 

• Contingency Management (CM)

CM is used to encourage and reinforce sobriety by providing material rewards as motivation for maintaining sobriety.

• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

REBT helps clients identify, challenge and replace their destructive thoughts and convictions with healthier, adaptive thoughts.

• 12-Step Program

The 12-Step facilitation program aims to promote continued abstinence by engaging people in recovery with 12-Step peer support groups.

How Will This Worksheet Help You?

This worksheet is intended to provide healthy and positive coping skills and provide techniques that will foster long-lasting sobriety.

This worksheet will also help promote recovery through stress management and overall well-being.

How Should You Use This Worksheet?

This worksheet should be used at any time to aid sobriety. You can use this worksheet alone or in a group as a self-evaluation kit to get sober and stay sober.

SECTION B.

Coping Skills Worksheet for Substance Abuse

1. Identify some of the things you struggle with in your everyday life.

2. What are some of the maladaptive behaviours you engage in?

3. Identify your unhealthy coping skills?

4. What are some of the triggers that cause you to engage in compulsive drug and/ or alcohol use?

EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS	SOCIAL TRIGGERS	ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS

5. Identify how substance abuse has impacted your physical and mental health, family and relationships, and employment and finances.

Physical and Mental Health:

PHYSICAL HEALTH	MENTAL HEALTH

Family and Relationships:

Employment and Finances:

6. What withdrawal symptoms do you battle with?

7. Identify any control measures or approaches that can be taken to help you overcome your substance abuse.

8. What support would you like to receive to help you stay sober?

9. Identify healthy coping skills that will help you stay sober and overcome relapse.

Reference:

American Addiction Centers. (© 2022). Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment. Available at: https://drugabuse.com/treatment/. [Accessed November 09, 2022]

American Addiction Centers. (© 2022). Substance Abuse Treatment Types & Therapy Programs Near Me. Available at: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment. [Accessed November 09, 2022]

The Owls Nest. (© 2022). Developing Coping Skills for Substance Abuse. Available at: https://owlsnestrecovery.com/developing-coping-skills-for-substance-abuse-recovery/. [Accessed November 09, 2022]

You can download this worksheet here.