Obstacles and Opportunities

Introduction: 

Everyone faces obstacles, but when we’re trying to recover and change, those obstacles can feel staggering and sometimes even impossible. At times it’s fear. Other times, it’s a lack of support, low motivation, not enough confidence, or simply feeling overwhelmed. The truth is: obstacles rarely disappear on their own. We often have to climb over them, work around them, or find the strength to break through.

Overcoming obstacles requires action. In this worksheet, we’re going to take what we already know about our personal barriers and turn that insight into coping strategies. No obstacle has to stop us completely when we build the tools, supports, mindset, and motivation to keep moving forward. Overcoming obstacles is a key part of the Taking the Escalator method.

Obstacles are inevitable but letting them stop our progress is optional.

The process of healing and recovery from substance use and mental health challenges is not a straight path. It’s full of twists, detours, and occasional moments of doubt. Encountering obstacles doesn’t mean failure; it means you’re doing the real work of moving forward toward positive change.

Obstacles can be:

1.     External – Things around you

2.     Internal – Things coming from inside you

Examples:

• Cravings and urges

• Persistent negative emotions (anger, sadness, boredom, guilt)

• Negative thinking (“What’s the point?”, “I can’t…”)

• A lack of resources – Not having what you need to succeed

• Isolation, loneliness or lack of support

• Toxic or triggering people, situations, or environments

• Mental health symptoms flaring up (anxiety, depression, trauma)

• Medical or other health problems (injuries, disabilities, pain, chronic illness)

• Low motivation/energy

• Consistent pressure or temptation

• Hard to escape past regrets or shame

• Unrealistic expectations or perfectionism

• Lack of resources to get what you need (time, money, housing, transportation, insurance)

• Other – As a group: Can you think of other examples of obstacles?

  
  

  
  

Obstacles and Opportunities – The Group Exercise

Directions – Mix up cards and take turns picking and following what the card says. There are three types of cards (with instructions) –

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