19/01/2026
🪴Today in Relapse Prevention we looked at the GROW model. It’s a simple tool that helps us slow things down, make sense of where we are, and decide what to do next — especially when recovery feels overwhelming.
GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will (or Way Forward). It reminds us that recovery isn’t about fixing everything at once or never struggling. It’s about noticing what’s happening, being honest with ourselves, and choosing the safest next step.
✅The ‘Goal’ isn’t about long-term pressure or perfection. In recovery, goals can be small and short-term — like getting through today, staying connected, or asking for help sooner.
✅‘Reality’ is about being honest without judgement. What’s really going on for me right now? What pressures, emotions, or triggers am I dealing with? Awareness is protective in recovery — we can’t plan for what we don’t acknowledge.
✅‘Options’ reminds us that even when things feel intense, we usually have more than one choice. Substances can make it feel like there’s only one way to cope, but recovery is about widening those options and finding safer alternatives.
✅Finally, ‘Will’ or ‘Way Forward’ is about action — but realistic action. Not big promises. Just one or two things you’re willing to try. Recovery is built through small, repeated choices, not willpower alone.
🫶Using the GROW model helps turn difficult moments into manageable ones. It gives us structure when emotions are loud and helps us move from reacting to responding. That’s how it supports relapse prevention — by helping us pause, reflect, and choose safety, one step at a time.
