Worksheet
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This worksheet focuses on recognizing and challenging automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that often drive addiction and emotional distress. It introduces the “Five Rs” process: Recognizing, Refuting, Replacing, Rehearsing, and Repeating, which helps individuals identify negative thoughts, reject their validity, and replace them with positive, empowering alternatives. By rehearsing positive substitutions and repeating the process as needed, individuals can manage emotional triggers and build a healthier mindset. This method encourages staying emotionally balanced and proactive in maintaining recovery, providing a structured way to shift from negativity to constructive thinking.
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.
