3 Free Addiction Recovery Worksheets (PDFs) From Our Clinical Toolbox
Recovery requires more than just good intentions—it requires the right tools. At Prescott House, we have spent the better part of two decades helping men rebuild their lives, and in that time, we have learned that certain emotional patterns appear again and again.
We frequently work with clients who are ruled by explosive, reactive anger. For them, we have found that the simple act of forcing a pause—sitting down and completing a worksheet—is powerful enough to turn blind rage into a moment of crucial reflection. Similarly, many of those struggling with addiction deal with a hidden sense of entitlement and emotional immaturity, often referred to as "King Baby" syndrome.
To combat these barriers, we rely on specific written exercises. The resources below are adapted from the actual tools we use daily in our facility. Whether you are struggling with gambling urges, unchecked anger, or emotional sobriety, these worksheets are designed to help you do the work that leads to long-term change.
1. The Anger Deconstruction Worksheet
Best for: Stopping a relapse before it starts by managing emotional outbursts.
Anger is one of the most common relapse triggers. When rage hits, the brain floods with cortisol, shutting down the logical part of your mind. You don't need to just "calm down"—you need to deconstruct what is happening before you act on it.
How this worksheet works:This tool uses a clinical approach to identify the three stages of anger:
- The Somatic Signs: What is your body doing? (Clenched fists, hot face, shallow breathing).
- The Setup: What happened in the last 24 hours (hunger, lack of sleep) that made you vulnerable?
- The Spark: Who or what actually triggered the explosion?
By forcing yourself to write these down, you engage your logical brain and interrupt the emotional spiral.
Download the Anger Deconstruction Worksheet
2. King Baby Syndrome Self-Assessment
Best for: Identifying ego, entitlement, and emotional immaturity.
"King Baby" (or Queen Baby) is a term popularized in recovery circles—from Hazelden to Prescott House—to describe a specific type of emotional immaturity. It describes the feeling that the world should revolve around you, and the frustration that occurs when it doesn't.
Do you have King Baby traits?
- Do you become angry when you don't get what you want immediately?
- Do you feel the rules don't apply to you?
- Do you struggle to accept criticism without getting defensive?
This isn't about shaming yourself. It is about identifying the "childish" behaviors that sabotage your adult relationships. This self-scoring worksheet helps you spot these traits so you can grow out of them.
Download the King Baby Assessment
3. The Gambling Self-Exclusion Survival Guide
Best for: Taking immediate action to block access to gambling venues and apps.
For those recovering from a gambling addiction, willpower is rarely enough. The gambling industry is designed to be addictive, and in the digital age, a casino is always in your pocket.
Why you need this guide:"Self-exclusion" is the process of voluntarily banning yourself from gambling venues and online platforms. It is the single most effective tool for early gambling recovery because it removes the option to play.
Our Survival Guide walks you through the practical steps of:
- How to self-exclude from physical casinos.
- Which software blocks gambling apps on your phone.
- How to protect your finances immediately.
Don't rely on luck or willpower. Rely on barriers.
Download the Self-Exclusion Survival Guide
How to Get the Most Out of These Tools
A worksheet is only a piece of paper until you put it into action. Here is the best way to integrate these into your recovery routine:
- Be Brutally Honest: No one else needs to see these papers. If you lie on the worksheet, you are only cheating yourself.
- Keep Them Accessible: Save these PDFs to your phone or print a stack of them. When a craving hits at 11:00 PM, you want the tool ready to go.
- Bring Them to Therapy: If you are seeing a counselor, bring your completed worksheets to your sessions. They provide excellent talking points and help your therapist understand your specific triggers.
Need More Support?
Worksheets are powerful tools for self-reflection, but they cannot replace human connection. If you are struggling with substance use or gambling, these tools are a great start—but don't do it alone. Reach out to a professional or find a local meeting today.
