If substance use happened after a period of change, begin with your current safety and needs. You can take the next helpful step without deciding that all progress is lost. Complete this page when you are able to think and participate clearly.
Care before analysis
Check whether medical help, a safe place, food, water, or support is needed. Do not drive while impaired. Suspected overdose or serious withdrawal symptoms require urgent medical care. A return to use after reduced use can involve overdose risk; discuss a prevention plan with your treatment team.
Learn without punishment
Describe the events leading up to use and the first place additional support might have helped. Identify one consequence that needs attention and one action you can take today. Contact treatment support rather than disappearing from care. A revised plan can include different treatment intensity or medical support.
Reflection prompts
Use these questions in conversation, on paper, or in the downloaded PDF. You may adapt or skip a prompt.
My immediate care or safety needs and who can help are
The sequence before use and an early warning I noticed were
One practical repair I can make today is
My next treatment or support contact and the plan change to discuss are
Facilitator notes and adaptation
Assess intoxication, overdose exposure, withdrawal, suicidality, and level of care before reflective work. Avoid using this exercise as a confession or punishment. Review tolerance changes and evidence based treatment options within scope.
Sources behind the concepts
These sources inform the concepts in this original resource. They do not validate or endorse this specific page.