12 Step Guidance & Relapse Prevention
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference." - Anonymous
Rate your current capacities engaging with the following suggestion / activities and write your ideas and commitment to continuing and adjusting your program where needed. Fill out the text field below "My 12 Step Relapse Prevention Plan".
Emotional Triggers: I recognize when I feel anger, loneliness, stress, frustration or boredom and I take steps to address these emotions without using substances.
How can I improve on recognizing and managing emotional triggers?
Environmental Triggers: I avoid places and situations associated with past substance use, like bars, parties or people who might lead me toward relapse.
How can I improve my response to environmental triggers?
Social Triggers: I remain mindful of people who encourage or enable substance use and am prepared to set boundaries to protect my sobriety.
How will I improve my strategies for dealing with social triggers?
Mindfulness and Meditation: I practice mindfulness or daily meditation to stay aware of my cravings and manage them without reacting impulsively.
How will I modify or improve my current method?
Physical Activity: I incorporate physical exercise into my routine, such as walking, yoga or weightlifting to reduce stress and improve my well-being.
Is physical activity a good idea for me?
Healthy Outlets: I engage in hobbies or activities that bring me joy, like painting, reading or volunteering, as healthy outlets.
What healthy outlets should I add or stop doing to prevent relapse in the future?
Meetings: I attend regular 12-step meetings to stay connected with others in recovery and maintain consistency, especially during difficult times.
Would more meetings in the future be helpful?
Sponsor Support: I maintain open communication with my sponsor and check in regularly for guidance and accountability.
Do I have enough contact with my sponsor? Should we (myself & sponsor) commit to a regular schedule of check ins? Should I seek additional support from other sources? Who might that be?
Support System: I build and nurture relationships with sober friends and family who support my recovery and provide positive reinforcement.
Who are "my people"? How can I become willing to rely on them more?
Names & contact information:
Daily Journaling: I write down my feelings, triggers and reflections daily to track my sobriety journey and identify areas for improvement.
Is Journaling a part of my routine?
Could I write a 10th step in the evenings more often?
Do I utilize Gratitude lists enough?
Check-in System: I check in with a sober friend, family member or sponsor daily to maintain accountability and stay grounded.
What is my routine for staying connected?
Prayer and Meditation: I begin and end my day with prayer, meditation or quiet reflection to keep myself centered and spiritually connected.
Have I found a Power greater than myself to rely on or am I still searching?
Do I rely on my HP to carry me through the day and challenging times?
Relapse Warning Signs: I stay aware of signs that a relapse might be imminent, such as isolating from others or romanticizing substance use and take immediate action when necessary.
What are my warning signs?
Emergency Contacts: I keep a list of people to call immediately if I feel at risk of relapse, including my coach, sponsor and sober friends.
Do I have a home group?
Notes:
Do I know where & when all the meetings are in my area?
Notes:
Do I research meetings before traveling to new countries or cities?
Notes:
Work: I continue working through the 12 steps with my sponsor and regularly revisit my progress, applying the steps to my daily life.
Am I satisfied with my current efforts and the results I am getting?
Any readjustment called for?
Service Work: I give back to the recovery community by sponsoring others or volunteering at meetings, knowing that helping others strengthens my own recovery.
Should I have a service commitment if I don't already have one?
Therapy: I seek individual therapy or counseling if needed for underlying emotional issues, trauma or co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.
Am I honest with my therapist about my Recovery process and give him / her the chance to support me?
Medication Management: I follow up with my healthcare provider about any prescribed medication for my mental or physical health to ensure I’m managing my recovery holistically.
Am I up to date with physical & dental check ups, take care of myself and take medications as prescribed?
Goal Setting: I set personal, professional and recovery-related goals to give my life purpose and direction as I move forward in sobriety.
I am satisfied with my development in Recovery.
Do I have the capacity to invest more in my Recovery at this time?
Would that be a worth while idea?
Celebrate Milestones: I acknowledge and celebrate my sobriety milestones to reinforce my progress and remind myself of how far I’ve come.
What can I do to celebrate my Recover?
Goal Setting: I set personal, professional and recovery-related goals to give my life purpose and direction as I move forward in sobriety.
What are my goals?
Celebrate Milestones: I acknowledge and celebrate my sobriety milestones to reinforce my progress and remind myself of how far I’ve come.
When is my next milestone? What is it? How will I acknowledge and celebrate that?
Notes:
My 12 Step Relapse Prevention Plan: