Purpose 🎯

Rehearse responses before a real-world trigger or high-risk situation occurs.

Practicing the Moment 🎭

Identify a realistic high-risk scenario and role-play possible responses.

Practice options such as:

• Refusing an offer
• Leaving the situation
• Contacting a support person
• Coping with discomfort
• Setting a boundary
• Using a recovery strategy

Building Confidence 💡

After the role play, ask what felt realistic, what felt difficult, and what the patient may want to adjust before using the response outside of session.

Telehealth / Whiteboard Version 💻

Write the scenario and possible response options on screen. Practice the dialogue verbally and revise language until it feels usable.

Why This Works 🌱

Role play allows patients to practice recovery skills in a safe setting before they need to use them in higher-pressure situations.

Clinical Pearl 🧠

Keep scenarios realistic and aligned with the patient’s current readiness, safety, and environment.

Documentation Language 📝

Patient participated in a high-risk situation role play to rehearse refusal skills, boundary setting, support-seeking, and coping responses for substance-use triggers.

Clinical Focus: Refusal Skills, High-Risk Situations, Relapse Prevention