what's addiction problems

8/3/2019 What's Addiction Problems

1/4

Therapists Overview

WHATS ADDICTION GOT TO DO WITH

MY PROBLEMS?

GOALS OF THE EXERCISE

1. Maintain a program of recovery free from addiction and proactively address

any legal conflicts resulting from past addictive behaviors.2. Accept responsibility for legal problems without blaming others.

3. Identify the connections between legal problems experienced and addictive

behaviors.

4. Identify thought patterns that created legal difficulties.

5. Understand the need to maintain abstinence from addiction and to remain

free of negative consequences that include legal problems.

6. Decrease antisocial behaviors and increase prosocial behaviors.

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THIS EXERCISE MAY BE

USEFUL Antisocial Behavior

Living Environment Deficiency

Occupational Problems

Substance-Induced Disorders

Treatment Resistance

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROCESSING THIS EXERCISE WITH THECLIENT

The Whats Addiction Got to Do with My Problems? activity aims to help clients

focus on the connections between addictive behavior and legal or other

problems. It is useful, when clients assess the outcomes of their actions, to point

out ripple effects (e.g., going to jail is a primary consequence, which in turn

interferes with holding a job, which makes it harder to earn income needed for

bills). This exercise is useful as a group activitythe group gives feedback and

input. Follow-up may include Analyzing Acting-Out Behavior and Relapse

Prevention Planning.


2/4

EXERCISE XVIII.B

WHATS ADDICTION GOT TO DO WITH

MY PROBLEMS?

The consequences of addiction often include legal trouble. Its important to

remember that legal difficulties (e.g., jail/prison, fines, probation) tend to cause

problems in other areas including self-worth, relationships, work, and finances. It

is also important to remember that taking responsibility for the decisions that

led to illegal acts, and the acts themselves, is a necessary part of recovery.Neither is easy. Sometimes we want to blame people, circumstances, or our

addictions rather than being accountable. We also may not want to admit that

our illegal activities are related to our addictive behaviors. If we dont want to

keep having legal problems, though, we have to do things differently. This

exercise will help you look at your legal problems, the painful consequences

youve experienced, the patterns that have led to your breaking the law or not

accepting responsibility, and strategies for avoiding legal difficulties in recovery.

1. In the left-hand column below, list your legal history including past and

current

legal issues. In the right-hand column, list how the illegal behavior is related

to addictive behavior. Keep in mind that the relationship may be direct (e.g.,

was high when stole a car or stole money from work to continue gambling)

or indirect (e.g., stole money to pay bills which went unpaid due to gambling

behavior).

Legal Problems Relationship to Addiction

2. What are the consequences youve experienced as a result of legal

difficulties? List all the types of unpleasant results youve suffered due to

the legal problem(s) listed in question 1.


3/4

EXERCISE XVIII.B

3. Have you tried to deny your actions or to blame something or someone else

for your current or past legal problems? If so, how?

4. What thoughts helped you support or justify engaging in illegal activities?

5. How would continued addictive behavior complicate your current legal

difficulties or those legal difficulties that remain unresolved?

6. Following is a sample list of prosocial behaviors. Please list specific ways

you can practice each in recovery. For example, for honesty, be more

specific than tell the truthdescribe how youll be honest in a situation

where youve been dishonest in the past.

Prosocial Behaviors What I Will Do

Honesty

Helping Others

Reliability

Consistency

Dependability

Acting responsibly

Respecting rules even

if I disagree with them


4/4

what's addiction problems

Documents