2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet

By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

A Relapse Prevention Tool –

The Emotional Cues For Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
We experience sensory, emotional/psychological, cognitive,
environmental, and physical cues on a daily basis in early recovery.
These cues or triggers, if left unchecked can turn into powerful cravings
for the chemical. Cravings can lead to relapse. In order to avoid relapse
it is crucial that you identify your cues, take action, and not let them turn
into cravings.
One powerful set of cues that can set off cravings are emotions or
feelings. Uncomfortable feelings, usually negative emotions, have
probably been among the cues or triggers associated with your drinking
and using in the past. Identify how these feelings have been linked in the
past to your drinking or drugging behavior and the how they may be
serving as cues for triggers today using the Emotional Cues For
Cravings in Relapse Worksheet. See also “Preventing Relapse Using the
Social and Environmental Triggers for Relapse Worksheet”.

2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com
2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet

By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
Use This Worksheet to help identify feelings connected to your drinking
or using drugs.
First, put a check by each emotion that you believe is associated with
drinking and/or using. Check the emotion if you believe that it has led to
drinking or using, or the emotion has been altered by your drinking or
using drugs.
Then give three examples of how that has happened in the past.
Then give three examples of how these emotions are currently connected
to your thinking about drinking or using.
___1. Fear. Other descriptors connected to fear might include afraid,
anxious, nervous, scared, apprehensive, insecure.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 2. Anger. Other descriptors connected to anger might include mad,
frustrated, annoyed, miffed, resentful, aggravated.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.

2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com
2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

___ 3. Guilt. Other descriptors connected to guilt might be remorseful,

sorry, responsible, bad.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 4. Shame. Other descriptors connected to shame might include
embarrassed, less than, inadequate, humiliated.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts:
___ 5. Hurt. Other descriptors connected to hurt might include abused,
crushed, disappointed, pain, taken for granted, taken advantage of,
bruised.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 6. Sadness. Other descriptors connected to sadness might include
grief, melancholy, sorrowful, somber, solemn.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about

2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com
2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling

and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 7. Loneliness. Other descriptors connected to loneliness might
include left out, neglected, abandoned, alienated, dejected.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 8. Helplessness. Other descriptors connected to helpless might be
paralyzed, despair, defeated, shaken, stuck.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 9. Overconfident. Other descriptors connected to "overconfident"
might be ungrateful, reckless, prideful, imposing, in control, dominating.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 10. Boredom. Other descriptors connected to bored might be
disconnected, disinterested, withdrawn, not caring, subdued.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about

2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com
2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling

and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 11. Stressed. Other descriptors connected to stressed might be
overwhelmed, exhausted, worried.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
___ 12. Joy. Other descriptors connected to joy might be happy, elated,
excited, confident, cheerful, adored, affectionate, delighted.
a. Past examples of how this feeling was linked to your drinking
drugging behavior:
b. Recent examples of how this feeling was linked to thinking about
drinking/using. Give the current circumstance or context of this feeling
and drinking/using thoughts.
You have identified feelings or emotions that have served as triggers for
cravings and/or relapse in the past. You have identified current feelings
or emotions that are connected to thoughts about drinking and/using.
In recovery, you must learn to replace the chemical with healthy living
skills. Learning to deal with feelings appropriately is a very important
healthy living skill. Make a list of things that you can do to deal with
feelings or emotions in a healthy way. (Hint: Pouring alcohol or other
chemicals on them is not a healthy way). Make your own list.
Copyright 2009, Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
Hubbard House Publishing, Stillwater, OK.

2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com
2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

Understanding Cross Addiction To

Prevent Relapse
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
A simple guide for professional and the
general information seeker alike. This
relapse prevention guide specific to
cross addiction issues covers
description and explanation of the
nature of addiction and cross addiction, examples of how cross addiction
leads to relapse, and a worksheet to assist in relapse prevention.
“Understanding Cross Addiction To Prevent Relapse” is a digital
product. This PDF download allows you immediate access.

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www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com

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2009, A Relapse Prevention Tool - The Emotional Cues for Cravings in Relapse Worksheet
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.
www.peggyferguson.com
www.stillwatermarriagecounselor.com