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Alternatives To Use Worksheet

This document provides an exercise to help recovering substance users identify alternative activities to replace those previously associated with drinking or drug use. The exercise involves: 1) Listing benefits and drawbacks of past substance use. 2) Listing benefits and potential drawbacks of abstinence. 3) Brainstorming alternative activities that could provide similar benefits without the negative consequences of substance use. 4) Committing to try one new alternative activity in the next week. The goal is to help users replace substance-related activities with healthier alternatives through self-reflection on needs, reexamining tradeoffs, and planning positive behavioral changes.

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Lara Lough
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1K views3 pages

Alternatives To Use Worksheet

This document provides an exercise to help recovering substance users identify alternative activities to replace those previously associated with drinking or drug use. The exercise involves: 1) Listing benefits and drawbacks of past substance use. 2) Listing benefits and potential drawbacks of abstinence. 3) Brainstorming alternative activities that could provide similar benefits without the negative consequences of substance use. 4) Committing to try one new alternative activity in the next week. The goal is to help users replace substance-related activities with healthier alternatives through self-reflection on needs, reexamining tradeoffs, and planning positive behavioral changes.

Uploaded by

Lara Lough
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Meeting My Needs: Alternatives to Substance Use

Exercise IV.

MEETING MY NEEDS:
ALTERNATIVES TO SUBSTANCE USE

For many recovering people, most of the things they did for fun or relaxation involved
drinking or using other drugs, with destructive consequences. Thinking about what you
like to do and ways to get your needs met that do not involve substance abuse is largely a
matter of reeducation. This exercise will assist you in identifying more positive and non-
substance-using alternatives to get your personal needs met and find enjoyment.

1. List all the benefits you can think of that you got from drinking or other drug use.

Physical Social Mental or emotional


______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________

2. Now list as many drawbacks as you can think of connected with drinking or other
drug use.

Physical Social Mental or emotional


______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
Exercise IV.1

3. List the benefits you can think of connected with abstinence from alcohol or other
drugs.

Physical Social Mental or emotional


______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________

4. List the drawbacks you see connected with abstinence from drinking or other drug
use.

Physical Social Mental or emotional


______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________

5. Brainstorm activity: List as many alternative ways as you can think of to get the
benefits you listed for drinking or other drug use without the same or equal negative
consequences.

Physical Social Mental or emotional


______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________
______________________ ______________________ ____________________

6. List three activities that:


a. You enjoy: _________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Exercise IV.1

b. You would enjoy, but haven’t tried: _____________________________________


__________________________________________________________________
c. You’ve heard others talk about and are interested in: ________________________
__________________________________________________________________
d. You could enjoy doing alone: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
e. You could enjoy doing with others: _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

7. I am making a commitment to myself to take the following step within the next week
to start practicing an alternative activity:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Remember to bring completed work sheet to your next appointment.

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