A structured 14-day challenge to help you get back on track, build consistency, and break negative patterns
Write down WHY you want to change.
What are you done dealing with?
Change does not happen by “trying.”
It happens through commitment and consistent action.
This exercise is designed to help you:
Be honest.
👉 Do not minimize—be direct and honest
What patterns, behaviors, or consequences are you tired of dealing with?
👉 Think about repeated issues—not just one situation
What has your behavior cost you?
👉 Think about stress, relationships, legal issues, finances, and stability
If you continue doing the same things, where will you be in:
👉 Be realistic based on your past patterns
If you make better decisions and stay consistent, what could improve?
👉 Focus on progress, not perfection
What usually gets in your way?
☐ Lack of motivation
☐ Stress
☐ Other people
☐ Old habits
☐ Avoidance
☐ Thinking patterns
☐ Other: ______________________________________
This is the most important part.
Write a clear statement of what you are committing to over the next 14 days.
“I am committing to ______________________________________
over the next 14 days, regardless of how I feel.”
👉 Be specific—this is not “I’ll try”
Because there will be days you don’t feel motivated.
When I don’t feel like following through, I will:
👉 Examples: follow routine anyway, reach out, pause, use coping skills
Who will help hold you accountable?
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________
This is a decision—not a hope.
I understand that change requires effort, consistency, and accountability. I am choosing to commit to this process and make different decisions moving forward.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Identify your biggest trigger. Triggers can be people, places, things, events, emotions, feeling physical pain, etc.
What usually leads you off track?
Awareness is the first step to change.
If you are not aware of:
…you will continue repeating the same patterns.
This exercise helps you slow down and start paying attention to what is actually happening in your daily life.
Take a moment and answer honestly.
👉 Think about your actions, decisions, and reactions
Think about a typical day.
👉 Start noticing patterns, even if they seem small
How do you usually respond when something doesn’t go your way?
👉 Examples: get irritated, shut down, avoid, act quickly
Think about your recent decisions.
☐ Thought out
☐ Impulsive
☐ Based on emotions
☐ Based on habit
👉 Check all that apply
Sometimes we avoid or ignore things.
👉 Be honest—this is where real awareness starts
What area of your life needs the most attention right now?
👉 Examples: stress, behavior, relationships, decision-making
What is one thing you want to become more aware of moving forward?
👉 Example: “I want to pay attention to how I react when I’m stressed”
I understand that change starts with awareness. I commit to paying attention to my thoughts, emotions, and behaviors instead of ignoring them.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Your behavior is not random—it follows patterns.
Understanding your patterns helps you:
The goal is to identify the full pattern, not just the outcome.
Think of a recent time where you:
Let’s look at what happened step-by-step.
👉 What situation, person, or event started this?
👉 Examples: stress, anger, boredom, frustration
👉 Examples: “I need a break,” “It’s not that serious,” “I’ll be fine”
Now step back and look at the full sequence.
👉 Example: “When I feel stressed after work, I tell myself I need a break, and then I make a bad decision.”
Have you seen this pattern before?
☐ Yes
☐ No
👉 Think about how often this has happened and in what situations
At what point in the pattern could you have made a different decision?
☐ At the trigger
☐ When you started feeling something
☐ When the thought came up
☐ Right before the behavior
👉 This is where you can interrupt the pattern next time
What can you do differently at that point?
👉 Examples: pause, leave, call someone, change environment, use coping skill
Complete this:
When I feel ____________________, instead of ____________________, I will ____________________.
I understand that my behavior follows patterns. I commit to recognizing my patterns and interrupting them before they lead to poor decisions.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Your environment plays a major role in your decisions. The people, places, and situations around you can either support your progress or increase your risk.
You may not control every situation—but you can control what you allow and how you respond.
This worksheet will help you:
Think about your daily life and surroundings.
👉 Be honest—this is about awareness, not judgment
Identify things in your environment that could lead to relapse or poor decisions.
Check all that apply and add your own:
☐ Being around people who use or encourage negative behavior
☐ Being in places where you used before
☐ Lack of structure or too much free time
☐ Stressful environments (work, home, relationships)
☐ Easy access to substances or triggers
☐ Social pressure
☐ Isolation or being alone too much
☐ Other: ______________________________________
👉 Be specific (not just “people”—who? where? when?)
When are you most likely to go off track?
Examples:
Think about how your environment influences your thinking and behavior.
👉 Examples: feel pressured, justify decisions, act impulsively
You don’t have to change everything—but you do need to make adjustments.
👉 Examples: different routine, different people, different locations
Where can you go or be that supports better decisions?
Examples:
When I am in a risky environment, I will:
☐ Leave early
☐ Avoid the situation completely
☐ Bring support with me
☐ Have a plan before going
☐ Other: ______________________________________
What boundaries do you need to set in your environment?
👉 Examples: saying no, limiting time, avoiding certain people/places
I understand that my environment affects my behavior. I commit to making changes that support better decisions and reduce my risk.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Cravings are temporary urges. They can feel intense, but they do not last forever. The goal is not to eliminate cravings—it is to respond to them differently.
This plan helps you slow down, take control, and make a better decision in the moment.
When a craving hits, the first step is awareness.
Instead of reacting automatically, pause and identify what is happening.
👉 Naming the moment helps you slow down and interrupt automatic behavior.
Cravings get stronger when you sit still and think about them. You need to take action quickly.
👉 These should be things you can do right away—not later.
Your surroundings have a strong influence on your behavior. If you stay in the same place, the craving may continue.
👉 Changing your environment can immediately reduce the intensity of a craving.
A resilience statement is something you tell yourself to stay grounded and focused.
It helps you push through the moment without reacting.
“When cravings surface, I remember…”
👉 Repeat this to yourself when the craving feels strong.
Now put everything together.
When a craving hits, what is your plan?
I commit to using this plan when cravings occur instead of reacting automatically.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Routine and structure help reduce risk and improve decision-making. When your day is unstructured, you are more likely to:
A consistent routine helps you:
The goal is not to create a perfect schedule—it is to create simple, consistent structure that supports your progress.
Think about a typical day. Be honest and specific.
👉 Include what you actually do—not what you think you should do
Looking at your current routine, where are you most at risk of going off track?
☐ Too much idle time
☐ Being around certain people
☐ Being in certain places
☐ Lack of structure
☐ Stress after work
☐ Late nights
☐ Other: ______________________________________
What changes can you make to reduce your risk?
👉 Examples: leave earlier, avoid certain places, plan an activity, change evening routine
Now create a simple structure for your day.
👉 Keep it realistic and repeatable
Choose one thing you will do every day, no matter what.
What will you do during times when you usually struggle?
👉 Be specific (call someone, leave, distract, go somewhere safe, etc.)
I understand that structure helps me stay on track. I commit to following a routine that supports better decisions and reduces risk.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Reflect on your progress. You made it a week!
What's different this week?
You are one week into the program. This reflection is meant to help you pause, evaluate your progress, and stay focused moving forward.
What have you learned about yourself over the past 7 days?
List at least 2 things you’ve done better this week:
Be honest—what has been difficult?
Have you noticed any patterns in your behavior, thinking, or reactions?
What situations, people, or emotions have affected you the most this week?
What is one thing you will focus on improving over the next 7 days?
I will continue this process by staying aware and making intentional decisions moving forward.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Tell someone your goal.
Who can help hold you accountable? How are you going to reach out to them?
Accountability helps you stay on track when things get difficult. Trying to do everything on your own increases the risk of poor decisions and repeated patterns.
This worksheet will help you:
Accountability means taking responsibility for your decisions and using support to help you make better choices.
Without accountability:
With accountability:
Your support system is not limited to friends and family. It can include:
Fill out the chart below with real people or resources you can use.
| Name / Resource | Relationship | How I Will Reach Out | When / Why I Will Reach Out |
|---|---|---|---|
👉 Guidance:
Be specific:
Examples:
What might stop you from using your support system?
☐ Pride
☐ Fear of judgment
☐ Not wanting to bother others
☐ Thinking you can handle it alone
☐ Other: ______________________________________
When I feel myself going off track, I will:
I understand that I am responsible for my decisions, and I will use my support system to help me stay on track instead of trying to handle everything on my own.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Catch one negative thought.
What excuse have you told yourself?
Your thoughts influence your feelings and your behavior. When your thinking is distorted or inaccurate, it can lead to poor decisions and repeated negative patterns.
This worksheet will help you:
Cognitive distortions are inaccurate or unhelpful ways of thinking that can lead to negative emotions and poor decisions. These thoughts often feel true in the moment, but they are not always based on facts.
Seeing things as all good or all bad.
Taking one situation and applying it to everything.
Focusing only on the negative and ignoring the positive.
Ignoring or downplaying progress or success.
Assuming something without evidence.
Expecting the worst-case scenario.
Believing something is true because of how you feel.
Placing unrealistic expectations on yourself.
Defining yourself based on mistakes.
Making a poor decision seem acceptable.
Think of a recent situation where you felt stressed, triggered, or made a poor decision.
Which cognitive distortion(s) apply to your thoughts?
☐ All-or-Nothing Thinking
☐ Overgeneralization
☐ Mental Filter
☐ Minimizing Positive
☐ Jumping to Conclusions
☐ Catastrophizing
☐ Emotional Reasoning
☐ Should Statements
☐ Labeling
☐ Justification
Now slow it down and question your thinking.
Now create a more realistic and helpful thought.
👉 Make it realistic—not overly positive, just more accurate
Write 2 additional examples:
Situation: _______________________________________________
Thought: ________________________________________________
Distortion: ______________________________________________
New Thought: ____________________________________________
Situation: _______________________________________________
Thought: ________________________________________________
Distortion: ______________________________________________
New Thought: ____________________________________________
I understand that my thoughts influence my decisions. I commit to slowing down, identifying my thinking patterns, and choosing more accurate and helpful thoughts.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Replace one negative behavior.
What will you do instead?
You cannot just stop a behavior—you must replace it.
When you remove a behavior without replacing it, your brain will go back to what it knows. This worksheet helps you identify what to do instead when triggers, cravings, or urges show up.
What is the behavior you are trying to stop or change?
👉 Be specific (not “do better”—identify the exact behavior)
What usually leads to this behavior?
Describe what usually happens step-by-step:
👉 This helps you understand the full pattern—not just the behavior
What does this behavior do for you in the moment?
☐ Relieves stress
☐ Helps you avoid something
☐ Feels familiar
☐ Helps you cope
☐ Other: ______________________________________
👉 Understanding the “why” helps you choose a better replacement
You must replace the behavior with something that meets a similar need.
👉 Examples: leave the situation, go for a walk, call someone, delay decision, distraction activity
Fill this out so you know exactly what to do in the moment:
| Trigger | Old Behavior | New Replacement |
|---|---|---|
👉 Be specific: “If I feel ___, I will ___ instead of ___”
When I feel the urge, I will:
What might make it hard to use your replacement behavior?
Who can help you stay on track?
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________
After using a replacement behavior, answer:
I understand that stopping a behavior requires replacing it with a better one. I commit to using my replacement plan when triggers occur.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Identify your stress response.
This worksheet is designed to help you:
Stress is not the problem—how you respond to it determines the outcome.
When you feel stressed, how do you typically respond?
Check all that apply and add your own:
☐ Shut down / withdraw
☐ Get irritated or angry
☐ Make impulsive decisions
☐ Avoid responsibilities
☐ Overthink / worry
☐ Use substances or unhealthy coping
☐ Become overwhelmed
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Be honest—what do you usually do when you feel stressed?
👉 Think about both helpful and unhelpful responses
What are 2 things you can do differently when you feel stressed?
👉 Be specific (ex: walk away, pause, breathing, call someone, delay decisions)
Use this when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or triggered.
👉 This helps slow your heart rate and calm your body.
A mantra is a short phrase you repeat to yourself to stay focused and grounded.
👉 Choose one that works for you:
My mantra: ___________________________________________
Use this when your thoughts are escalating or becoming negative.
👉 This helps prevent thoughts from taking over your behavior.
Ask yourself:
Old thought: __________________________________________
New thought: __________________________________________
Use this to track patterns and increase awareness.
| Stress Level (0–10) | What caused it? | What was I thinking? | What was I doing? | Who was I with? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
👉 Scale Guide:
0 = no stress
5 = moderate stress
10 = extreme stress
After completing your log, answer:
I understand that I cannot eliminate stress, but I can improve how I respond to it.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Visualize your next 30 days.
What changes if you stay on track?
This exercise is designed to help you visualize where your life is headed based on your decisions.
Change becomes easier when you clearly see:
This is not about imagination—it is about direction and awareness.
Take a moment and be honest.
If you continue making the same decisions and following the same patterns, where will your life likely be in the next 30–90 days?
👉 Be realistic, not hopeful. Base this on your past patterns.
Now shift your focus.
If you continue applying what you’ve learned, stay consistent, and make better decisions—where could your life be in the next 30–90 days?
👉 Think about progress, stability, and improvement—not perfection.
Your future is shaped by daily decisions.
👉 Examples: avoiding certain environments, following routine, reaching out for support
Think about a situation where you would normally go off track.
Now visualize yourself handling it differently.
👉 Picture it step-by-step: what you say, what you do, how you leave or redirect
What could get in the way of you staying on track?
How you see yourself influences your decisions.
👉 Examples: “someone who follows through,” “someone who makes better decisions,” “someone who stays consistent”
I understand that my daily decisions determine my future.
I am choosing to focus on long-term outcomes instead of short-term relief.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Write a relapse response plan.
What will you do if you slip?
This relapse prevention plan is designed to help you identify your personal risk factors, recognize early warning signs, and respond effectively before a situation escalates.
Relapse is not a single event—it is a process. The goal is to recognize the process early and interrupt it.
Triggers are situations, emotions, or environments that increase your risk of making poor decisions.
People:
Places:
Situations:
Emotions (circle or add):
Stress / Anger / Boredom / Loneliness / Frustration / Anxiety / Other: __________
Identify situations where you are most likely to go off track.
👉 Be specific (time of day, events, social settings, etc.)
These are early signs that you are starting to move toward a bad decision.
👉 Examples: negative thinking, isolating, skipping routines, increased stress
What do you typically tell yourself before making a poor decision?
👉 Examples: “It’s not that serious,” “I’ll be fine,” “Just this once”
List the real consequences of going back to old behaviors.
👉 Think about legal, financial, emotional, and relationship impacts
What can you do instead when you feel triggered?
👉 Examples: leave the situation, go for a walk, call someone, distract yourself
When I feel triggered or notice warning signs, I will:
👉 Be specific and realistic
👉 Example: “I will call when I feel overwhelmed or before making a decision”
Structure helps reduce risk and improve decision-making.
Morning:
Midday:
Evening:
If I make a poor decision, I will:
✔ Acknowledge it immediately
✔ Identify what led up to it
✔ Contact support
✔ Get back on track within 24 hours
👉 The goal is to prevent one mistake from turning into a pattern
I understand my triggers, warning signs, and risk areas. I commit to using this plan to make better decisions and respond differently moving forward.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Set your next goal.
SMART GOAL:
Specific (what specifically do you want to do? "I want to never drink alcohol again" is not specific. We need a plan by which we can accompany this goal.
Measurable - Put a measurement on it. Example: "I want to cut back on my drinking by only drinking 2 on the weekends and none during the week days."
Attainable - Make sure it is something you can do. If I'm at a pack a day, then cold turkey is going to be really tough. I may want my goal to be more attainable: I will cut back my use by 2 cigarettes daily for the next 30 days.
Realisitic - Is this something you can realistically do? If my goal is to stop using alcohol, but everyone uses alcohol daily in my household, it may not be realistic without making some changes.
Time bound - Put a date on it. When do you want to do this by? If you don't put a date on it, you may never reach your goal.
What are you continuing after this?
If you want ongoing support, weekly sessions, and accountability, ,join the Recovery Support Program here: https://grc.coursify.me/customer/brand/courses/30-day-recovery-reset-breaking-the-cycle-building-consistency
The 14-Day Recovery Reset Challenge is a structured, action-based program designed to help individuals get back on track, build consistency, and break the cycle of negative patterns.
This challenge is not about overwhelming you with information—it’s about helping you take daily, practical steps that lead to real change.
Over the course of 14 days, you will focus on increasing awareness, identifying triggers, understanding your patterns, and developing strategies to respond differently in high-risk situations. Each day includes a short video, a simple task, and a guided reflection to help you apply what you are learning in real time.
This program is designed for individuals who:
Throughout the challenge, you will:
This is not a passive program. Participation and consistency are key. The goal is not perfection—it is progress.
By the end of the 14 days, you will have a clearer understanding of what has been holding you back and a practical plan to continue moving forward.
Disclaimer:
This challenge is for educational and support purposes only and does not replace any court-ordered or mandated treatment programs.
Assessor/Counselor
Desiree Cochran is a Certified Addiction Counselor II, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and Certified Master Addiction Counselor through the Georgia Addiction Counselor's Association and is a certified anger management facilitator through the Department of Community Supervision. She is also certified as a MCAP through the Florida Certification Board. She completed her Masters in Addiction Counseling at Liberty University. She is certified to teach DUI school, parenting, ASAM treatment for all levels, and all Prime Solutions Classes including the marijuana course. Desiree is also training to become a certified facilitator for the Georgia Commission on Family Violence to facilitate Domestic Violence Intervention Programs.