Managing Thoughts of Using Substances

Helping clients to become aware of and challenge thoughts of using substances reduces the risk of relapse and raises the client’s level of self-confidence. Clients who experience a high-risk relapse situation and have positive thoughts of using are more vulnerable to taking a drink, smoking, or using other drugs. This is especially true if the client has little confidence in his or her ability to manage thoughts of using. The objectives of this chapter are to help the client become aware of how thoughts of using substances can contribute to relapse, to help the client identify common thoughts and apparently irrelevant decisions that precede substance use, and to help the client learn strategies to manage and challenge thoughts of using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.