RECOVERY MAINTENANCE
WORKBOOK
WHERE PREPARATION INTERCEPTS RELAPSE
PAMELA GARBER, LMHC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TAB 1 HUMILITY WORKSHEET
TAB 2 CONSEQUENCES FOLDER
TAB 3 CLIENT INFORMATION SHEET
TAB 4 HOUSING WORKSHEET
TAB 5 EMPLOYMENT
TAB 6 FAMILY RELATIONS
1
INTRODUCTION
For the Reader:
When you begin your journey in recovery, it is easy to focus on life’s major issues and skip the basic, practical
aspects of daily living. We in recovery can underestimate the level of stress and pressure that basic life maintenance
such as, errands, budgeting, and time management present. As a result of this underestimating, the newly
recovering person is blindsided by unexpected feelings and triggers. Ironically, a small about of preparation will
result in a chance to effectively manage the stress from previously unexpected sources.
This workbook is designed for people dealing with any form of addictive behavior. This includes but is not limited
to the following:
Drugs & Alcohol
Gambling
Eating Disorders
Problem Spending
Sexual Addiction
Behavioral Addictions including:
Rage
Impulsivity
This workbook will help you create a system for organizing your new life responsibilities and recovery
program.
2
HUMILITY WORKSHEET
Often times needing help is a reality that threatens our ego. It is tempting to down play the need
to acknowledge our limitations, to ask for help, and to ignore the specific type of help that is
needed and available.
We do this by down playing our awareness of the accessibility and effectiveness of available
help. In the realm of psychotherapy, recovery and medication management, we exhibit behaviors
of non-compliance and non-attendance. We say to ourselves:
"Meetings don't do any good"
"Therapy is just talk"
"The meds are just a different kind of drug"
"I can never find a meeting"
"I can fit this into my schedule"
Saying these things results in the following consequences:
Recovery -Not attending meetings, fellowship, stepwork
Medication -Treatment- missing appointments, lack of medication compliance
Psychotherapy - Missing appointments, lack of compliance - denial of need
altogether.
Family support - Not asking for help when needed, for example, identifying the
need to clarify and establish boundaries. Not saying "no" to unhealthy
environments and invitations that jeopardize recovery.
Work - Not attending functions that are triggers. "I have to stay late to complete
this deadline", even though it means missing my therapy appointment.
We take the stance that not getting help and toughing it out means that we don't need help.
Sometimes the desire isn't to fake ourselves out, however, we are embarrassed to inconvenience
our families. We do this in a variety of areas for example, not wanting to ask for a ride to a
meeting when our license is suspended.
“I know you worked all day, but I still need you to take care of the kids while I take the bus to the
meeting since my license is suspended"
It is hard to recognize our own needs for help and support.
3
HUMILITY WORKSHEET
What are your own examples? List 3 on this page.
1.________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4
CONSEQUENCES FOLDER
This is a folder that you will create as a concrete, tangible reminder of the consequences you have endured
as a direct result of using, substance abuse and/or other addictions.
Your Consequences Folder can include the following:
Hospital Records - Go in person and fill out all required release forms to obtain your records. You
may choose to share your reasons for doing this. You may want to coordinate
reading the records with your home group, therapist, or sponsor.
Legal Records - All court date, traffic violations, domestic, finance related, bankruptcy, etc.
Intervention Letters - Family, friends. Family and friends can also write one now describing how
things were back then, if need be.
Treatment Center Records - Discharge Summary, and any notes, etc.
Pictures - Any photos that provide memories of using, as long as they did not glorify
the situation.
Negative Notes - Termination notices, eviction notices
Debt - Bills, threats for garnishing wages.
All Related Receipts
Misc.
5
CLIENT INFORMATION SHEET
Name:_____________________________________ Date:______________________________
Address:_____________________________________ City:______________________________
State:_________________ Zip Code:________________ Home Phone:_______________________
Work Phone:________________________ Cell Phone:_________________________
Preferred Contact Number: (Please check) Home Work Cell
Date of Birth:____________________ Age:_______ Place of birth:________________________
Employer: ________________________________________ Length of time there:___________________
Married: Coupled: Single: Length of marriage/union:_________
Name of Spouse/Partner:______________________________ Number of children:_____________
Ages/Names of Children:____________________________________________________________________
Annual Household Income: ___________________
Emergency Contact:______________________________ Contact Number:____________________
Reasons for Seeking Counseling:
1. What do you consider to be the issues you are facing that led you to seek help?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What things have you tried to address these issues?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What are your reasons for seeking help now?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What would you like to gain from counseling?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Medical History:
Primary Care Physician:_______________________________ Date of Last Physical:_______________
Address:______________________________________ City: _____________________________
6
State:__________________ Zip Code:__________________ Phone Number:_____________________
Other physicians involved in my care: ___________________________________________________________
Current medical issues:_______________________________________________________________________
Any past significant medical history:____________________________________________________________
Current prescription drugs (including dosage and what they are for): __________________________________
Family medical history: ______________________________________________________________________
Health - Related Behaviors/Lifestyle:
Any non-prescription medications/substances you are currently taking:_________________________________
Any supplements/homeopathic remedies you are currently taking:_____________________________________
Do you drink alcohol? _____________________________ If so, how much?_____________________
Do you smoke?___________________________________ If so, how much?_____________________
Please describe anything pertinent about your nutrition:_____________________________________________
Please describe your sleep patterns:_____________________________________________________________
Any pertinent sexual history/problems:__________________________________________________________
Any physical fitness activities:_________________________________________________________________
Describe your spiritual belief system:___________________________________________________________
How relevant are these beliefs to your daily life:___________________________________________________
How you like to spend your free time: (Include how frequently you engage in these activities) _____________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mental Health History:
Previous therapy/counseling: (Please list approximate dates and providers' names)________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Any medications that were prescribed for mental health reasons: (Please list dates) _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7
Any previous hospitalizations for mental health concerns: (Please list dates) ____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Please describe any current thoughts of suicide or self-harm: _________________________________________
Describe any past suicidal thoughts or attempts: ___________________________________________________
Describe any thoughts of harming other people: ___________________________________________________
Describe any history of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse: ___________________________________________
Educational / Occupational History:
Highest Grade Completed:_____________________________ Highest Degree Obtained:______________
College/Graduate School (if applicable):_________________________________________________________
Area(s) of study:____________________________________________________________________________
Any pertinent information regarding educational history:____________________________________________
Occupation: _________________________________ Length in occupation:__________________
Any previous occupations:____________________________________________________________________
Any pertinent information regarding occupational history:___________________________________________
Any current occupational/educational stressors:___________________________________________________
Family History:
Names and ages of parents: ___________________________________________________________________
Names and ages of siblings: __________________________________________________________________
Describe your father: ________________________________________________________________________
Describe your mother: _______________________________________________________________________
Describe your role within the family: ___________________________________________________________
Describe your current relationship with parents and siblings: _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
8
Current Living Situation:
Describe what you consider your current family system: ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
How many members are in your household? ___________
Please describe any other members of your household, including their relationship to you:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
If you are currently involved in a marriage/union, please describe the positive and negative aspects of that
relationship: _______________________________________________________________________________
Creative Intake:
Creativity can be a significant asset in the therapeutic process. The following questions will help you to start
thinking more creatively and may highlight areas to address within therapy.
What was your favorite childhood fairy tale, story, hero, or book? What about it did you like best?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Who is your favorite relative, and why?__________________________________________________________
If all goes very well, what will your life be like in five years?_________________________________________
If there was a book about your life, what would the title be?_________________________________________
Strengths:_________________________________________________________________________________
Challenges:________________________________________________________________________________
Describe your biggest fear:____________________________________________________________________
Describe your richest dreams/aspirations:________________________________________________________
What do you feel interferes with you achieving all that you of?_______________________________________
What traits make one a strong....
Partner? ____________________________________________________________________________
Friend? _____________________________________________________________________________
Family member? _____________________________________________________________________
9
Please describe any movie, book, play, TV show, news story, or song that resonates with you or presents a
feeling or theme to which you can relate:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Is your present living situation helpful to your recovery? Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
What would your ideal home environment look like?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
10
HOUSING WORKSHEET
While time in sobriety is being established and maintained, it is important to examine your choice of housing
and select housing that will best suite your recovery goals.
Options for supportive housing environments include:
1. Halfway House - This is a residential facility, which can sometimes be a supplemental part of your
residential treatment. A completed stay at a Halfway House can range from an average of two to six
months. The average cost usually starts from $250.00 per week. Meals are generally provided and
employment is a requirement. This facility accommodates all ages above adult. Adolescents are in a
separate residential home. Drug testing is done at random. There are mandatory house meetings
routinely scheduled where chores are assigned and compliance is maintained. Restrictions can be
reinforced and privileges are lost and gained accordingly. The benefits of the Halfway House are that it
is structured and it is a guaranteed sober environment.
2. Sober House - This is an informal, agreed upon, long-term roommate living situation. It can range
from two people who meet at a recovery meeting and decide to live together and maintain sobriety to
an advertised, commercial sober home. Sober homes typically have a definite set of rules and
regulations including the agreement to stay sober in order to remain a resident. If you break the rules,
you are required to leave and forfeit your deposit.
3. Return to Previous Living Situation - There can be a fine line between wanting to make amends with
family members by returning home versus staying true to recovery needs by postponing your return
"home". Family and other members of your previous household may not grasp an understanding of the
requirements and the legitimate physical and emotional limitations you are facing. Family and other
members of your previous household may not grasp your need to utilize other housing for a time prior
your return.
11
HOUSING WORKSHEET
2. How do I determine and identify what key factors will make an ideal housing and living
environment for my recovery program?
Consider how the following criteria will impact your decision:
Financial situation
Emotional well being
Situational (people, places, things) HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)
All environments will produce some trigger -nothing is 100% ideal.
3. Identify the key influencers and how they will effect your decision.
Family of Origin
Spouse, Partner, Children -fear of losing a relationship
Other Family Members
Friends and Peer Pressure
Employer and work relationships
Acquaintances
Image -ego related and ego driven issues
4. Ideal Sober Environment -Short Term, Intermediate Term, Long Term
Explore the following:
Concept of Long Term vs. Short Term gains as applied to housing.
Short Term sacrifice in exchange for long term gains.
Graduated plan to identify when to move to next level of housing.
5. Possible Challenges to staying on course:
Staff
Roommate
Amenities
Pressure from outside world.
12
THE CHART BELOW LOOKS AT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HOUSING
Meetings on
Average Staff on
Type of Housing Cost Monitoring* Premise/Meeting
Length of Stay Premise
Availability
Halfway House
Sober
house
Independent
Living
Return to
Original
Situation
List other issues specific to you.
* Random drug testing
Dietary evaluation
Money management
Overall supervision
13
EMPLOYMENT WORKSHEET
It is crucial to identify and target employment that will support your recovery. The wrong job at the wrong time
will compete with your focus, putting your sobriety into jeopardy, in exchange for what may seem to be an easy
situation.
There are three main ways in which people sabotage their recovery by choosing the wrong employment.
Discussion - Which category do you most relate to?
1. Image -
Selecting a position with the goal of preserving image and/or prestige. "I've worked in this field for ten
years, I can still do it"? "I certainly can't work for low hourly wages, my salary was close to figures.
These are two examples regarding the money and title aspect of career image.
2. Associations -
Jobs obtained through family and friends. A family member might say" I don't know why you won't just
come and work for me." "I can use your help around here, and 1will pay you." Or criticism from family
and friends for the position you selected during your recovery.
3. Fear - (Sometimes what appears as a Lack of Motivation is really Fear in disguise)
Please describe your thoughts and feelings
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. Other issues:
14
EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS
The following are questions are to be read over and discussed during workshop.
1. If returning to a previous job, how is this in line with changing people, places, things? Is this a
solid, recovery friendly return, or is this a risky situation? Why?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. If this is a new job, is this a mirror image of an old atmosphere or is this new working
environment a healthy improvement?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. If you have an established career, have you decided to take a break from your career and to
instead opt for a job that won't compete with your recovery focus? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. Are you targeting jobs that are recovery friendly; not being so stressful or demanding too much at
this time? If so, what types of jobs?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. What makes a job recovery friendly?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. How will you handle co-workers drinking at work related functions?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. Will you share at work about being in the program? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. What are some other key concerns that are work related?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
15
EMPLOYMENT
REFERENCES: Prepare a list of 4 references to be used on an employment application.
1. Name___________________________________________________________
Address & Phone Number __________________________________________
Occupation ______________________________________________________
Years Known ____________________________________________________
Relationship - Personal or Professional ________________________________
2. Name___________________________________________________________
Address & Phone Number __________________________________________
Occupation ______________________________________________________
Years Known ____________________________________________________
Relationship - Personal or Professional ________________________________
3. Name___________________________________________________________
Address & Phone Number __________________________________________
Occupation ______________________________________________________
Years Known ____________________________________________________
Relationship - Personal or Professional ________________________________
4. Name___________________________________________________________
Address & Phone Number __________________________________________
Occupation ______________________________________________________
Years Known ____________________________________________________
Relationship - Personal or Professional ________________________________
16
FAMILY RELATIONS WORKSHEET
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are 5 traits that you will implement as "criteria" for "old" relationships that will "make the cut" -
(people, places, things) and remain in your life?
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What are 5 main traits that will lead you to decide to terminate an old relationship?
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
17
FAMILY RELATIONS WORKSHEET
3. Describe what makes a relationship threatening to recovery.
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Describe what makes a relationship compatible with recovery.
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
18
FAMILY RELATIONS WORKSHEET
5. Do your close associations need to be in the program?
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. How will you balance out your various relationship demands and your recovery schedule?
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. How will you address difficult challenging times in your recovery with your Family and relations?
Discuss the fine line between disclosing challenges vs. Alarming others vs. being an open door.
List below:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________ 19
