The Emotional Aspects of Addiction – Worksheet 1

This worksheet helps individuals in recovery identify emotional triggers that may lead to substance use and offers a strategy to manage those emotions. It highlights that emotional triggers, both positive and negative, can lead to cravings for drugs or alcohol. Recognizing these emotions, such as sadness, anger, frustration, or even happiness, is the first step toward preventing relapse. It encourages reflecting on past situations where emotional reactions led to substance use and suggests finding healthier ways to manage emotions. Additionally, the worksheet emphasizes that external situations, such as being alone or attending social events, can also trigger cravings, urging individuals to be mindful of these triggers and create a plan to avoid them in the future.

Written by clinical psychologist Dr. Hal Baumchen, PsyD, LP, LADC, this printable PDF worksheet gives clinicians a practical, session-ready tool. The conversational, encouraging tone makes clinical concepts accessible to clients at any stage of recovery, while structured prompts keep the work focused and productive.

How clinicians use it: as an in-session exercise to open and structure discussion, as between-session homework to reinforce skills, as a progress tool to track growth over time, and as part of a treatment unit paired with the companion lesson and PowerPoint on this topic. Formatted for easy printing and immediate use in individual or group settings.