Questions to Ask an Addict in Recovery
Compassionate questions that help you understand their recovery journey while showing support and respect for their progress, without triggering or causing harm to their recovery process.
1How are you doing today and what has been going well for you?
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How are you doing today and what has been going well for you?
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Why this works
Opens conversation on a positive note and shows genuine care for their well-being while focusing on their current progress and successes.
2What are some of the positive changes you've noticed in your life since starting recovery?
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What are some of the positive changes you've noticed in your life since starting recovery?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their progress and reveals the positive changes and improvements they've experienced during their recovery journey.
3What are your favorite ways to take care of yourself and stay healthy?
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What are your favorite ways to take care of yourself and stay healthy?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their self-care and reveals what health and wellness practices they find most helpful and enjoyable.
4What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind when you're feeling stressed?
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What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind when you're feeling stressed?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their coping strategies and reveals what relaxation and stress management techniques they find most effective.
5What are your favorite ways to connect with others and build relationships?
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What are your favorite ways to connect with others and build relationships?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their social connections and reveals what kind of relationships and social activities they find most meaningful and supportive.
6What are your favorite ways to stay motivated and inspired?
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What are your favorite ways to stay motivated and inspired?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their motivation and reveals what kind of inspiration and motivation they find most effective and valuable.
7What are your favorite ways to handle challenges and difficult situations?
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What are your favorite ways to handle challenges and difficult situations?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their resilience and reveals what coping strategies and problem-solving approaches they find most effective.
8What are your favorite ways to celebrate your successes and achievements?
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What are your favorite ways to celebrate your successes and achievements?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their accomplishments and reveals what kind of celebrations and recognition they find most meaningful and rewarding.
9What are your favorite ways to learn and grow as a person?
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What are your favorite ways to learn and grow as a person?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their personal development and reveals what kind of learning and growth activities they find most engaging and valuable.
10What are your favorite ways to give back to others and help those around you?
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What are your favorite ways to give back to others and help those around you?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their values and reveals what kind of helping and giving back they find most meaningful and fulfilling.
11What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your culture and heritage?
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What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your culture and heritage?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their identity and reveals what kind of cultural connections and heritage they value and enjoy.
12What are your favorite ways to stay informed and what kind of information do you find most valuable?
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What are your favorite ways to stay informed and what kind of information do you find most valuable?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their information consumption and reveals what kind of news and information they find most valuable and engaging.
13What are your favorite ways to stay organized and manage your time?
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What are your favorite ways to stay organized and manage your time?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their productivity and reveals what kind of organization and time management strategies they find most effective.
14What are your favorite ways to stay positive and optimistic?
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What are your favorite ways to stay positive and optimistic?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their mindset and reveals what kind of positivity and optimism strategies they find most effective and valuable.
15What are your favorite ways to stay curious and keep learning?
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What are your favorite ways to stay curious and keep learning?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their growth mindset and reveals what kind of curiosity and learning strategies they find most effective and valuable.
16What are your favorite ways to stay grateful and appreciate life?
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What are your favorite ways to stay grateful and appreciate life?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their values and reveals what kind of gratitude and appreciation practices they find most meaningful and valuable.
17What are your favorite ways to stay connected with nature and the outdoors?
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What are your favorite ways to stay connected with nature and the outdoors?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their environmental connection and reveals what kind of nature and outdoor activities they find most peaceful and rejuvenating.
18What are your favorite ways to stay creative and express yourself?
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What are your favorite ways to stay creative and express yourself?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their self-expression and reveals what creative outlets and forms of expression they find most fulfilling and enjoyable.
19What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your spirituality or faith?
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What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your spirituality or faith?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their spiritual life and reveals what kind of spiritual or faith practices they find most meaningful and supportive.
20What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your community and make a difference?
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What are your favorite ways to stay connected with your community and make a difference?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their community involvement and reveals what kind of community connections and impact they find most meaningful and fulfilling.
Best Practices for Recovery Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Care and Support
Demonstrate authentic care for their well-being and recovery. Ask about their progress and successes, and show enthusiasm for their positive changes.
Focus on Positive and Empowering Topics
Ask about positive changes, successes, and what's going well. This helps reinforce their progress and shows you value their recovery journey.
Be Patient and Respectful
Give them time to share their thoughts and experiences. Be respectful of their recovery process and don't pressure them to share information they're not comfortable with.
Question Sequences
The Progress and Success Sequence
The Values and Interests Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask About Their Past Addiction
Avoid questions about their past addiction, substance use, or recovery details. Focus on their current progress and positive changes.
Don't Make Assumptions About Their Recovery
Don't assume you know about their recovery process or make judgments about their progress. Let them share what they're comfortable with.
Don't Ignore Their Individual Journey
Acknowledge their unique recovery journey and progress. Show appreciation for their individual growth and what they've accomplished.