Exercise # 2                Identifying High Risk Situations

There are a number of "high risk" situations which may make you feel that you could relapse. It may be helpful for you to
review the following list of commonly identified relapse factors to determine if any of these may pose a threat to your
continued recovery.

Once you identify your possible high risk relapse factors, you can then begin to plan relapse prevention strategies to
help you handle these without using alcohol or drugs.

The following is a list of high risk factors identified by other alcoholics and drug dependent persons, research studies,
and professional counselors or therapists. Under each section, circle the number next to the high risk factor if it applies
to you:

   I    Negative Feelings, Attitudes, Thoughts or Behaviors.   

1        Anger expression problems  (for example, holding anger in; expressing it inappropriately or violently).

2       Anxiety or nervousness.  

3        Boredom or lack of constructive leisure interests.

4       Denial ("I don’t have an alcohol/drug problem")

5       Depression      

6       Excessive or impulsive behaviors (for example, gambling too much; overeating; spending too much money;
       overworking; excessive sex).   

7       Exhaustion or fatigue.

8       Fears which seem unreasonable.

9       Feeling helpless or hopeless.

10     Guilt.          

11     Impatience with "recovery plan" ("things aren't happening fast enough").

12     Lack of meaning in life {nothing seems important)

13     Loneliness or isolating yourself from others.

14    Overconfidence about sobriety ("I've got this thing licked; I'll 'never' use alcohol or drugs again").  

15    Painful memories (for example, from combat experience, death of a loved one, or from experiences of
      growing up in a troubled family).   

16    Preoccupation with alcohol or drugs.   

17    Resentment towards others.        

18   Self-pity.

19   Shame    

20   Socializing in bars or with others using drugs.  

21   Thinking alcohol or drugs are needed in order to "have fun."

22   Unusual or disturbing thoughts.

23   Others: (write in):_________________________________________________________________
.                                 


  II     Social Pressures to Use Alcohol or Drugs.

24        Being invited to a social or recreational event where alcohol or drugs are likely to be used (parties,
          picnics, ball games, weddings, etc.)

25        Being invited to a bar or club.

26        Difficulty refusing alcohol or drugs offered by others.

27        Difficulty being around others who are using alcohol or drugs.

28        Difficulty being around others who are intoxicated or "high".

29        My social group consists mainly of others who misuse alcohol or drugs.

30        Others: (write in): ______________________________________________________________________).

   III      Sobriety Plan or Treatment Related Problems.

31        Feeling that treatment is not helping me.       

32        Feeling that I "don't want to be involved in treatment".

33        I seem to remain involved in recovery activities only for short periods of time.

34        Not attending my outpatient counseling sessions.

35        Not going to AA or NA meetings regularly.

36        Not taking Antabuse as prescribed.

37        Not working my individualized recovery plan (for example, not staying out of bars; not completing my           
          inventory; not working at making changes I agreed to as part of my recovery, etc.)

38        Not getting my family involved in recovery activities.

39        Others:  (write in): ____________________________________________________________________).


  IV   Problems in Relationships with Other People.

40        Argumentativeness with others.

41        Difficulty meeting people or developing new relationships.

42        Difficulty trusting others.

43        I have no friends and tend to be a loner.

44        My friends consist mainly of others who misuse alcohol and/or other drugs.

45        My spouse or partner has an alcohol or other drug problem.

46        Sexual problems (for example, fear of sober sex; impotence; lack of control over sexual feelings or inappropriate
           behaviors).   

                               
  V     Internal Situations

47        I purposely put myself in alcohol or drug use situations to see if I can avoid using.

48        I sometimes get an urge or craving to use alcohol or drugs without anything seeming to trigger this off.

49        I try to have a few drinks (or drugs) to see if I can control my use.

50        The sight or smell of alcohol or drugs sometimes triggers off an urge or craving to use.

51        The sight or smell of certain things in my environment which remind me of using alcohol or drugs
          sometimes triggers off an urge or craving.

52       Others:  (write in): _________________________________________________________________).      


    VI   Other High Risk Situations.

53        Achieving success at my job (for example, getting promoted).

54        Difficulty handling evenings or weekends.

55        Difficulty handling stress or anxiety.

56        Difficulty solving problems without getting overwhelmed .

57        Feeling good and happy about myself and my life.

58        Lack of constructive ways of spending my days.

59        Lack of hobbies or leisure time interests.

60        Physical pains or problems.

61        Wanting to celebrate special occasions (holidays, birthdays, etc.)

62        Others: (write in): __________________________________________________________________ ).

                            
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