No matter how far you’ve come on your recovery road, thoughts of past behaviors can pop into your head at any time. In 12 Step programs it’s called stinking thinking, relapse warning signals of thought patterns and attitudes that can lead straight back to active addiction. Opening the door to poor decision making, these self-defeating thoughts can sweep you away from your sobriety unless you find your footing.

A coping strategy for dealing with those thoughts and feelings, dropping anchor can help ground you in the present so you can stand steady. This mindfulness practice developed by Dr. Russ Harris turns the table on stinking thinking. Instead of fighting or getting lost in negative thoughts you lean into and acknowledge them while shifting your attention to what is happening in the here and now, by following these steps known as ACE:

A – Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings. Gently and non-judgmentally notice when these thoughts show up and label what you’re experiencing, like “I think that I’m a failure” or “I’m feeling really sad”.

C – Come back into your body. Connect with your physical self by using simple movements for sensory awareness like pressing your feet on the floor, wiggling your toes, or rolling and relaxing your shoulders.

E – Engage in what you’re doing. Focus your attention on your surroundings, take in what you see, tune in to what you hear. If you’re in a meeting pay attention to the moment and really listen to what is being said.

There’s no need to wait until you’re in crisis to use this grounding technique. Making it a part of your daily routine can build this exercise into a habit you can rely on when negative self-talk creeps in. Being prepared to put it into action will help you move through stinking thinking and out the other side.

If you struggle with stinking thinking, it’s not a storm you have to or should ride out alone.Always reach out for help by contacting a physician or mental health professional for an evaluation or a member of your support team  – sponsor, coach, trusted friend or family member – for support. You can also have a free and confidential conversation with a 988 Helpline counselor any time, day or night, 365 days a year via call, text or chat.

 

If you, someone you love or someone in your network needs support on the journey of addiction recovery and emotional well-being, The Recovery Coach NY is here to help. Our program, developed by Founder & President Cindy Feinberg, is based on the philosophical theory of holism: The system as a whole determines how the parts behave. Working together, we develop a plan to provide the safety, structure and accountability that promotes long-term wellness.

Learn about the benefits of working with a member of our Recovery Coach and Mental Health Coach teams by having a confidential conversation with Cindy via phone at 631-921-4085 or reach her directly via email here.

We provide Mental Health Support & Coaching, Recovery Support & Coaching, Sobriety & Mental Health Companionship, Accountability & Executive Function Coaching, Academic Coaching, Scholastic Support, Case Management, Safe Transport, Psychedelic Integration Coaching, Intervention and Emergency Services. For more information, visit our website.

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