Below are tools I’ve created to help you see into your blind spots, generate new ways to understand old beliefs, expose your rackets, create fresh ideas regarding existing situations, and generally help you get un-stuck and moving forward toward your goals.
I’ve also created tools specific to addiction and recovery, both informational and practicable, designed to educate and equip with resources to drive change.Feel free to download and use these; contact me if you want more information or need help with any of the activities or exercises.
This is my Cascading Model of Addiction, manifest as a cascade from Core to Causal Risk Factors, flowing into the 6-Stage Addiction Cycle, cemented in place through Neuroplastic Habituation, resulting in an Addiction Habit (bottom). All of this is initiated and held in place by beliefs about self and life which become our Narrative Identities (upper-right).
Understanding Habits – A storyboard explaining how addiction can be viewed as a form of maladaptive habit, leading to obsession, compulsion, cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, and ultimately, a loss of agency.
Essential Recovery Definitions – a storyboard of my specific and surgical definitions which bring clarify and precision to the addiction-recovery space. All definitions are pathway-independent and work for any addiction process.
How sensory triggers create fleeting thoughts and feelings, which give shape to enduring attitudes. This acts as a feedback loop, where attitude re-informs the trigger cycle. All of this leads to behavior,
Essential Recovery Definitions – Role of Cognitive Attitude in the formation of Addiction Habits
Traditional Cognitive Triangle is useful but misses the stable and enduring component of Attitude. Attitude is composed by Thoughts and Feelings; we have less control over Thoughts and Feelings, but more control over Attitude – think: ‘you need an attitude adjustment’. Thoughts-Feelings-Attitudes are a feedback loop.
What is a Habit, and how do Stories, Beliefs, and Narratives become Habits?
The Affective-Narrative model, where Perception, Thoughts, Feelings, and Attitudes are shaped by Stories, Beliefs, and Narratives which create Habits. These Habits are then focused and amplified through the lens of the Narrative Identity, which is primarily responsible for Behavior. Maladapted habits from a faulty affective response driven through a negative narrative is fertile soil for addiction to take root and grow.
The Hari Blunder – The Opposite of Addiction is Recovery
The cumulative effect of an unmanaged Cognitive Feedback Model into ShadowHabits
The Habit Spectrum of Control – shows how a person’s agency (ability to choose freely) is compromised as habits become increasingly maladaptive, crossing the line into addiction.
Essential Recovery Definitions – Working a Program – 1-Page
The Frankl Space showing the “opportunity space for change” present in my Cascading Model
This is a diagram showing various pathways to recovery from Substance Use Disorder. The legend distinguishes secular vs. non-secular. Text other pathways to the number on the page and I’ll add them.
BEST DAY EVER!!! This is a useful gimmick to organize your day for optimal productivity and success. If there are habits which run counter to what you’re trying to accomplish, and you struggle each day to choose better behaviors over harmful habits, this tool can help. Best to have a partner available for check-ins!BUNDLING GOODNESS TOOL, to help create positive energy and keep your mind focused on what’s good about your life and what you have to look forward to. For the best effect, do this daily and share it with someone who’s also committed to the journey.A 1-PAGE FLYER USED AS A HANDOUT WHEN PROVIDING A ‘ONE PILL CAN KILL’ BRIEFING ON FENTANYL, FAKE PILLS, THE EXIGENT THREAT TO OUR KIDS, AND HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS USED BY TRAFFICKERS TO SELL DRUGS.
A SHORT ‘ONE PILL CAN KILL’ PRESENTATION TARGETED AT CLERGY MEN & WOMEN, PARENTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS WHO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE EXIGENT THREAT TO OUR KIDS FROM FENTANYL-LACED FAKE PILLS. PROVIDES REAL, SOBERING FACTS ALONG WITH HOW WE CAN BE BETTER PREPARED.
PORNOGRAPHY & SEX ADDICTION INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TARGETED TOWARDS CLERGY MEN & WOMEN AND PARENTS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THEIR KIDS & FAMILIES.
A SHORT PDF EXPLORING HOW THE THREE TOWERS OF OUR EMOTIONAL LIVES CAN BE IMPROVED THROUGH SIMPLE PRACTICES. THIS COVERS EMOTIONAL MATURITY, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY. INCLUDES PRACTICES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT & GROWTH.
Role Distinctions & Definitions in the Recovery Services Space
The single most critical component of recovery is community – a fellowship of people on the same path as you. Second only to community is accountability – the willingness to live an open & transparent life, allowing yourself to be known, and giving others permission to ask tough questions related to your goals.
A compilation of resources for men and women struggling with pornography use disorder or porn addiction to get help and find freedom; organized by secular, faith-based and 12-Step pathways.
TODAY I DID MY VERY BEST is a worksheet designed to support the process of changing a bad habit, behavior or thought process into something that serves your life in more positive ways. Change is hard – this is a tool you can use daily to increase your chances or making the change.30-Day “I DID MY BEST” Goal & Commitment Tracking Tool Helps you set a goal with specific commitments and track progress over 30 days.
The 12-Steps of AA each have a corresponding Principle which can be used to create a virtuous character. Here are the Virtues, with their opposite, and how both are expressed in one’s Character.These are the Principles from the last 7 words in Step-12 “Practice these principles in all our affairs”
Understanding the difference between early-relationship infatuation (Limerence) and long-term relational Love & Intimacy – manifest as the difference between Pleasure and Happiness.
Give Yourself Advice Tool – useful to imagine your future self giving your present self advice on how to reach a goal.
Tool to practice gratitude by creating a list of things for which you have to be grateful, using each letter of the alphabet.
3-Circles – Stoplight Tool with Fillable Page plus Sample Page with ExamplesAn expanded version of SAA’s 3-Circles – this tool is in table format and provides a different view of your behaviors mapped to your feelings.
Fun do-anywhere Gratitude exercise on your fingers – to pull you out of a funk and remind yourself to be gratefulA fun way to bless others and get yourself out of your head – this Bingo game sets deliberate intent and requires you to focus on gratitude.One of my famous word-pictures – provides a visual to understand that a life well-lived is a life lived in balance – the balance of body, mind & spirit.90-DAY CHALLENGE TOOL TO HELP MAP PROGRESS AGAINST ANY GOAL YOU’D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH OVER THE NEXT 90 DAYS. THIS HELPS PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION BEHAVIORS THEY’D LIKE TO STOP.THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR RECOVERY JOURNEY – THERE’S NO NEUTRAL STATE – YOU’RE EITHER IN RECOVERY OR RELAPSE – WE CAN EXPLORE WHERE YOU ARE AND FIND YOU IN PRECOVERY OR PRELAPSE.A WONDERFUL QUIP ABOUT ADDICTION VS. RECOVERY – MAKES A REALLY NICE DESKTOP BACKGROUND OR LOCK SCREEN ON A WINDOWS DESKTOP OR LAPTOP.
