What is the 88?

Many recovery programs offer general guidance, but the 88 break the process down into specific, achievable actions. Each step is designed to move individuals forward—whether that’s through creating a daily routine, making amends, learning job skills, or finding ways to give back.

At SCC, we don’t believe in vague advice. Recovery is about action. These 88 action items provide important parameters to show progress and establish the positive momentum necessary to build a new life.

The List of 88

Early Recovery

1. Commit to sobriety every day.
   1. Goodbye to drugs letter
   2. Daily Inventory
   3. Write your obituary
2. Attend your first support group meeting.
3. Establish a daily routine.
   1. Keep an appointment calendar for 2 weeks
   2. Pass house check for 1 weeks straight
   3. Present daily hygiene routine to group
4. Share your decision to recover with a supportive friend or family member.
   1. Meet w/ Ethan about family sessions
   2. Write an apology letter to the family
5. Identify your personal triggers.
   1. Complete trigger assignment with your counselor
6. Avoid high-risk situations and people related to substance use.
   1. Present potential high risk situations and coping skills in group to peers
   2. Relapse prevention plan w/ Individual
7. Set a small, achievable daily goal.
8. Start a journal to reflect on your recovery journey. (30 days)
9. Create a list of reasons you want to stay sober.
10. Learn a basic relaxation or meditation technique.
    1. Make a list, try one, present experience in group
    2. Attend Yoga Group 5 times
11. Find a hobby or activity that doesn’t involve substances.
    1. Introduce Recovery Activity Sheet, turn in 3 weeks in a row
12. Practice saying “no” in low-pressure situations.
    1. Plan in individual session, present in group
13. Educate yourself about substance use disorder.
    Review SUD Criteria w/ Individual Counselor.
14. Develop a healthy sleep schedule.
    1. Sleep/Wake Log, 7+ days
15. Make your living environment substance-free
    1. Practice honesty with staff regarding housing guidelines
    2. Complete pass and visit forms with honesty and integrity – need to attach pass/visit for to assignment
16. Visit a therapist or counselor for mental health counseling.
17. Establish a support system of sober friends or peers.
    1. Get 5 numbers from support people outside SCC, no staff, no housemates, no family members.
18. Accountability and self-examination worksheet.
19. Learn about the stages of change in recovery.
    1. Complete Stages of Change Group Curriculum, present knowledge to Ind Counselor
20. Identify and express your feelings without substances.
    1. Understanding and coping with Mood Swings Worksheet
    2. Thinking, Feeling and Coping in Challenging Scenarios

Middle Recovery

21. Develop a relapse prevention plan.
    1. Identify at least 3 high risk scenarios that are likely to happen include responses within those scenarios.
    2. Get the phone numbers of at least 5 support people outside of Shawnee.
    3. Present your own recovery pathway plan to their group.
22. Join a recovery support group (e.g., 12-step, SMART Recovery).
    1. Join a home group (AA/NA/SMART/Refuge).
    2. Regular church – identify times, days.
    3. Gym/class – identify times, days.
23. Set boundaries in relationships.
    1. Explore and set boundaries in relationships
    2. Complete relationships section of Step 4 in NA Step Working Guide.
24. Volunteer or help others in your community.
    1. Participate in 3 community service outings
    2. Complete fine repayment through community service
25. Start rebuilding trust in key relationships.
    1. Helping Men Recover Relationships Assignment *Jess*
    2. Complete 24/7 Dad curriculum w/ CAO
    3. 6 Parenting Sessions w/ Individual Counselor *Puckett*
26. Celebrate one month of sobriety.
27. Learn to manage stress without substances.
    1. Identify stressful situations.
    2. Explore 5 coping skills.
    3. Complete education w/ counselor on physical and physiological cues.
28. Work on forgiving yourself and others.
    1. Complete resentment section of Step 4 NA Step Working Guide
    2. Write a letter to person about your perception of a conflict.
    3. Complete Assets section of Step 6 NA Step Working Guide
29. Identify negative thought patterns and work to change them.
    1. Complete behavior chain/thinking report with individual counselor, share in group.
30. Establish a balanced diet.
    1. Log you food in an app.
    2. Lead a cooking class.
    3. Create a budget and shopping list; go to the grocery store to buy the items.
31. Begin regular exercise.
    1. Log activities for one month.
    2. Go to the gym with Red 3 times a week for til you cant.
32. Work through any co-occurring mental health disorders.
    1. Attend all MH appointments
    2. Take all medications as prescribed
    3. Complete initial and follow up standardized MH symptoms tools
    4. Create a written record/journal of changes in symptoms
33. Develop a personal accountability system.
    1. Make all outside scheduled appointments.
    2. Create a calendar, week to week, with inside and outside appointments.
34. Set a financial budget and goals.
    1. Complete budget sheet month to month for 3 months of actual income and outputs.
    2. Make a wants v. needs list with individual counselor.
    3. Set a budget that spans 6 months, that allows the client to execute paying his first months rent and deposit on his own house/apartment.
35. Take up a new hobby that challenges you.
    1. Go to Pickleball
    2. Go to Yoga 
    3. Go to Basketball on Sunday
    4. Attend 3 free community events 
    5. Go fishing
    6. Perform at Open Mic
36. Start a gratitude list and update it regularly.
    1. Log a gratitude list for 30 days in a row.
    2. Complete 6 dimensions of gratitude assignment *Justin*
37. Improve time management skills.
    1. Set reminders for all appointments in your phone.
    2. Sign in and out of the book at the house for 30 days in a row, verified by Tech.
38. Explore spirituality or personal growth avenues.
    1. Complete devotional workbook/worksheets
    2. Provide report to CM or AOD Counselor on spiritual pathways
39. Celebrate three months of sobriety.
40. Learn to deal with cravings in a healthy way.
    1. Identify 3 separate triggers that lead to craving
    2. Identify 3 new coping skills you can try to manage cravings
    3. Report 3 healthy distractions for cravings to CM/AOD/Peer
    4. WRAP Plan

Sustained Recovery

41. Mentor someone else in recovery.
    1. Become a sponsor/mentor, with your sponsors/mentor approval – have your sponsor write a letter.
42. Set long-term personal and professional goals.
    1. Stacy’s Case Management Goal Sheet
    2. Present 6 month, 1 year, 18 month career, family, leisure, social goals to group.
43. Continue to attend support group meetings regularly.
    1. One meeting a day for 90 days – turn in meeting sheet.
    2. Church 2x Sunday, 1x Wednesday for Faith Based
44. Maintain ongoing therapy or counseling.
    1. Complete a mental health assessment or assessment update and follow clinical recommendations.
    2. Complete updates of GAD7, PHQ9, ASI @ 1 month, 3 monts, 6 months, 12 months.
45. Celebrate one year of sobriety.
46. Regularly review and update your relapse prevention plan.
    1. Review original plan w/ counselor
47. Take a class or course to learn something new.
    1. CDCA @ VoTech
    2. Any other class @ VoTech
    3. Aspire GED
    4. Shawnee State CDCA/Peer Support
    5. Peer Support, eBased Academy
48. Maintain a healthy work-life balance.
    1. Turn in weekly work schedule on Thursday.
    2. Meet with peer who has transitioned from client to employee w/ CM/AOD
    3. Review savings plan/budget w/ CM/AOD to review progress
    4. Complete a list of priorities assignment with CM/AOD
49. Practice advanced stress management techniques.
    1. Complete meditation exercise from SAMSHA Anger Management Packet
    2. Complete progressive muscle relation exercise from SAMSHA Anger Management Packet
50. Build and maintain healthy, supportive relationships.
    1. Transition from supervised to unsupervised visits.
    2. Complete family counseling sessions w/ MH/AOD.
    3. Complete Relationships/Resentments section from Step 4.
51. Develop a strong sense of self-identity beyond being in recovery.
    1. Complete “Who am I?” assignment/poem
    2. Present your story to Residential
52. Engage in regular physical activity.
    1. Go to the gym w/o Red.
    2. Complete couch to 5k
    3. Purchase a gym membership
    4. Join a class @ Hard Knocks
53. Continue to practice mindfulness or meditation.
    1. Join a Refuge Recovery homegroup
    2. Keep a log of meditation practices
54. Keep a journal of your thoughts, feelings, and achievements.
    1. 7 days
    2. 30 days
    3. 90 days
55. Plan for dealing with setbacks without relapsing.
    1. Complete role plays about high risk scenarios in group or individual.
    2. Complete Behavior Chains/Thinking Report on high risk set back scenarios.
56. Explore new cultures, ideas, and experiences.
    1. Join group at Planetarium
    2. Go the Portsmouth Museum
    3. Open/Free Community Events
    4. Attend a Final Friday
    5. Go to The Landing
    6. Go to a show at Portsmouth Little Theatre
    7. Join a group at the Happy Pot
    8. Go get a Library Card
    9. Portsmouth Raceway Park
    10. Semi-Pro or High School Football Games
57. Regularly express gratitude to those who support your recovery.
    1. Write a thank you card to someone.
    2. Take your mom to dinner.
    3. Do something nice for someone, and don’t tell anybody.
    4. Take your kids to the park.
58. Participate in community service or advocacy for substance use awareness.
    1. Go to a recovery coalition event.
    2. Attend Friendly Valley
    3. Overdose Awareness Balloon Release
    4. Suicide Awareness
59. Celebrate milestones in recovery with sober activities.
    1. Go to the “meeting after the meeting”
    2. Create a plan to celebrate a milestone or accomplishment, share it with you individual/group
60. Continuously work on personal development.
    1. Complete page 86 form Big Book.
    2. 10^th Step Inventory from NASWG
    3. Working the 10^th Step I.P.

General Skills and Accomplishments

61. Develop effective communication skills.
    1. Don’t text your clinician at 11pm
62. Learn to manage anger and frustration healthily.
    1. Complete SAMHSA Anger Management Curriculum
63. Become adept at conflict resolution.
    1. Complete conflict resolution model from A.M. curriculum
    2. Complete step by step CBT guide w/ counselor; present in group
    3. Get w/ Chris for STAR file.
64. Cultivate patience and tolerance.
    1. Complete distress tolerance work with MH counselor
    2. Improve the moment assignment therapist aide
65. Improve your listening skills.
    1. Active listening skill from T4C
66. Enhance your problem-solving abilities.
    1. Complete problem solving lessons from T4C
67. Build resilience to face life’s challenges.
    1. Self esteem work
    2. Self worth work
    3. Positive Psychology
    4. “Purpose” work
68. Achieve a sense of balance in personal and professional life.
    1. Complete weekly check in for X number of weeks
    2. Complete Shawnee Development Training w/ Michael
69. Maintain a clean and organized living space.
    1. Co-Facilitate house checks for morning
70. Learn to cook healthy meals.
    1. Cooking and budgeting
71. Practice financial responsibility and saving.
    1. Save $5k
72. Engage in creative outlets like painting, writing, or music.
    1. Group Happy Pot sessions
    2. Individual Meeting w/ Cinamon
    3. Attend open-mic night at The Landing
    4. Attend something at Portsmouth Little Theatre
    5. Final Friday @ Boneyfiddle.
    6. Portsmouth Street Art Project
    7. Go to the Museum
    8. SSU Planetarium
73. Set boundaries with toxic individuals.
    1. T4C Curriculum – Ethan has it
74. Regularly participate in a recovery or support group.
    1. Identify a home group.
    2. Service position at Celebrate Recovery
    3. Join Mound Park Pickleball Club
    4. Join a class at HardKnocks
    5. Join a class at a gym
    6. Portsmouth Connex? SOMBA?
75. Take responsibility for your actions and their consequences.
    1. Present thinking report/behavior chain to group about a modified behavior that has led to overall change in getting/avoiding consequences
    2. Share your story in a Residential group
76. Learn to enjoy leisure time without substances.
    1. Plan an outing with your house on the weekend
    2. Plan an event for your family
    3. Organize card/game/movie night
77. Stay informed about the latest in addiction science and recovery methods.
    1. Complete Peer Support Modules
    2. Complete CDCA Class
    3. Attend 5 of Ethans Best Notes Trainings
    4. Attend 5 Thursday morning paraprofessional trainings
78. Develop a positive support network.
    1. Get 10 numbers from 10 different people outside SCC.
    2. 5 people locally, 5 people where your going back to (not family), 3 people that will always answer
    3. Get a referral for continued services past IOP.
    4. Discuss the five people you spend the most time with in an individual session.
79. Practice humility and openness to learning.
    1. Try a new skill
    2. Go somewhere you’ve never been
    3. Present to a group about something you tried and do now that you never thought you would.
80. Celebrate sobriety anniversaries and milestones.
    1. Achieve one year of continuous abstinence

Advanced Recovery Roles

81. Work on a long-term career or educational goal.
    1. Go back to school – GED, college, or trade school
    2. Complete GED
82. Maintain and enhance physical health through advanced fitness goals.
    1. Complete a 5k
    2. Do a CrossFit Competition
    3. Do a powerlifting meet
    4. Do a Tough Mudder/Spartan Race
    5. Set & achieve a weight loss goal
    6. Complete smoking cessation
83. Engage in a significant relationship with honesty and integrity.
    1. Buy your kids Christmas presents
    2. Get current on child support payments
    3. Be accountable to appointments/arrangements/promises to loved ones.
    4. Attend kid/family events
    5. Complete Family Sessions w/ significant other/parents/kids
84. Contribute to the recovery community as a speaker, sponsor, or mentor.
    1. Speak in Residential/PHP group
    2. Speak at outside recovery event
    3. Tell your story at a homegroup/Celebrate Recovery
85. Pursue advanced personal development goals, such as leadership skills.
    1. Read a book on leadership
    2. Facilitate a group w/ your peers
    3. Obtain independent living
    4. Become HOH
    5. Present all personal documents to Case Manager (Birth certificate, SSC, DL’s, Insurance, Registration)
86. Travel to places you’ve always wanted to visit.
    1. Identified by client
87. Achieve a significant professional milestone.
    1. Obtain PRS
    2. Obtain CDCA
    3. Complete Vo-Ed class
    4. Obtain Professional Certification (ServSafe, etc.)
88. Complete a major project or achievement
    1. Identified by client

Other Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling, the first step is reaching out.

We are a resource to build your new life.
Call (740) 876-4370