Try this when you next want to drink or use when you shouldn’t

[hva]

A tool for dealing with the thought of drinking when it becomes dangerously strong.

Hope folks find this useful.

Four Step Response to Wanting a Drink*

RELABEL, REATTRIBUTE, REFOCUS, REVALUE

WHAT YOU DID

1. You experienced a desire and considered it valid
(labeled)
“I truly want this.”

2. You connected the desire to needs
(attributed)
“I truly need this.”

3. You sought to satisfy the desire
(focused)
“I’m getting/doing this.”

4. You experienced satisfying the desire as a success
(valued)
“I truly needed that.”

WHAT YOU DO NOW

1. You experience a desire and consider it a pathology
(relabel)
“This is just my addiction; I don’t really want this.”

2. You attributed that desire to meaningless brain chemistry
(reattribute)
“I don’t really need this; it’s just a passing craving, the result of brain chemistry.”

3. You connect to your recovery network
(refocus)
“I’m calling people who can see straight and support my wellbeing.”

4. You renounce the desire as being the result of a delusion
(revalue)
“That was nothing but my addiction talking and I’m so much better off for not listening.”

*Based on the successful four step OCD treatment protocol developed by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz

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