What is the theory behind this substance use therapy worksheet?

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a diverse group of conditions marked by recurrent maladaptive use of a psychoactive drug that causes significant distress and disability. A thorough evaluation is necessary for substance use disorder, which frequently includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counsellor. Most mental health professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Dsm – 5) to give a diagnosis of a substance use disorder. Individual, group, or family therapy sessions are typically offered as part of substance use disorder interventions.

How will the worksheet help?

This worksheet will help clients to plan and prepare for change. This activity educates the client on the benefits and drawbacks of their drinking habits. It inspired them to plan for a change in their unhealthy habits.

How to use the worksheet?

During sessions, the therapist hands over this worksheet to the client. It reveals their unhealthy pattern of drinking habits. This worksheet is divided into three steps. They need to write their own assumptions about their habits.

Substance Use Therapy Worksheet

Step 1;

Note; Identifying the advantages and drawbacks of your experience related to using substances or drugs.

Pros	Cons
Advantages of my drug use	Drawbacks of my drug use
1-	1-
2-	2-
3-	3-
4-	4-
5-	5-

Step 2;

Tips; write down the reasons for continuing and discontinuing drugs or substances.

Pros	Cons
The benefits of discontinuing my drinking habits.	The disadvantages of discontinuing my drinking habits
1-	1-
2-	2-
3-	3-
4-	4-
5-	5-

Step 3; Rate your decision about changing your drug or substance use habits.

• On a scale of 0 to 4, how important do you think it is to change your substance use habit? Choose the one option.

0. Not important ___.

1. Less important ___.

2.Moderately important ___.

3.Very important ____.

4.Most important ____.

References

Therapy for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. (2022, September 22). DrugAbuse.com. https://drugabuse.com/treatment/therapy/

McHugh, R. K., Hearon, B. A., & Otto, M. W. (2010). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 33(3), 511. 

You can download this worksheet here.