Triggers and Cravings
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
A client says, “I have not used substances for six months, but I am still working on my emotions, relationships, and coping skills.” Which statement best reflects the recovery process?
A. Recovery is primarily defined by maintaining abstinence, while other life changes are secondary.
B. Recovery is an ongoing process that includes behavior change, improved coping, and rebuilding areas of life affected by substance use.
C. Recovery is achieved when cravings completely stop and a person no longer experiences challenges.
D. Recovery focuses mainly on avoiding substances and preventing exposure to triggers.
B. Recovery is an ongoing process that includes behavior change, improved coping, and rebuilding areas of life affected by substance use.
What is the medical term for a strong urge to use alcohol or drugs?
Craving
: A client has stopped using substances and is developing new coping skills, rebuilding relationships, and creating a healthier lifestyle. Which term best describes this ongoing process?
A. Sobriety
B. Recovery
C. Dependence
D. Detoxification
B. Recovery
Which part of the body is most affected by alcohol?
Liver
This is something that causes the urge to use.
What is a trigger
A client notices that when they feel rejected or criticized, they immediately think about using. They begin identifying the emotion, recognizing the trigger, and choosing a different response before acting. What recovery skill is the client practicing?
A. Emotional regulation
B. Denial
C. Avoidance
D. Impulsive decision-making
A. Emotional regulation
Question: Which of the following is an example of a relapse prevention strategy?
A. Avoiding all uncomfortable emotions until cravings disappear
B. Identifying triggers and creating a plan for how to respond before cravings occur
C. Testing your ability to be around substances to prove you are in control
D. Relying only on willpower to prevent future substance use
: B. Identifying triggers and creating a plan for how to respond before cravings occur
A person has been taking the same medication dose for several months. Over time, the medication has less effect, and they need a higher dose to achieve the same result. Which recovery term describes this?
A. Withdrawal
B. Relapse
C. Tolerance
D. Abstinence
C. Tolerance
Which brain chemical is most closely linked to reward?
Dopamine
This type of trigger comes from inside you, like stress or anger
What is an internal trigger
A client receives a stressful phone call and notices thoughts like, “Everything is falling apart, and I cannot handle this.” The client pauses, identifies the thought as unhelpful, and replaces it with, “This is difficult, but I have handled difficult situations before.” What coping skill is being demonstrated?
A. Distraction
B. Cognitive restructuring
C. Emotional suppression
D. Avoidance
Cognitive restructuring
Name the three stages of relapse.
Answer:
Emotional
Mental
Physical
A client says, "I have not used any drugs or alcohol for 90 days, but I still experience thoughts about using when I am stressed." Which two recovery concepts are being demonstrated?
A. Abstinence and craving
B. Tolerance and withdrawal
C. Dependence and relapse
D. Cross-addiction and tolerance
A. Abstinence and craving
Why do people often experience strong cravings even after they have stopped using substances?
A. The brain’s reward system has been changed by repeated substance use
B. The body always needs the substance to survive
C. The substance permanently stays in the bloodstream
D. Cravings only happen when someone chooses to think about using
A. The brain’s reward system has been changed by repeated substance use
A client reports, “I wasn’t planning to use, but after a stressful argument I started thinking about using, remembering the good times, and convincing myself it wouldn’t be a big deal.” What recovery concept does this best demonstrate?
A. Healthy emotional processing because the client is recognizing their feelings
B. A trigger leading to craving and risky thinking patterns
C. Physical withdrawal caused by stopping substance use
D. Successful coping because the client is thinking about past experiences
B. A trigger leading to craving and risky thinking patterns
A client says, “When I feel uncomfortable emotions, my first thought is to escape by using. I am learning to sit with the feeling, accept that it will pass, and choose a healthy action.” Which coping skill does this describe?
A. Distress tolerance
B. Denial
C. Rationalization
D. Trigger avoidance
A. Distress tolerance
A person has stopped going to meetings, stopped calling sober supports, and has begun isolating. Which stage of relapse are they most likely in?
Emotional relapse
A person takes an opioid exactly as prescribed after surgery. They develop physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it, but they never misuse the medication or experience cravings. Which recovery term best describes this?
A. Addiction
B. Dependence
C. Tolerance
D. Cross-addiction
B. Dependence
Which part of the brain helps control judgment, decision-making, and impulse control?
A. Cerebellum
B. Brainstem
C. Prefrontal Cortex
D. Hippocampus
Prefrontal Cortex
This stage of relapse can begin when someone ignores triggers and stops coping.
What is emotional relapse
Put these Stages of Change in the correct order:
Answer:
A person is thinking about using, weighing the pros and cons, and planning how they could hide it if they relapse. Which stage of relapse is this?
Mental relapse
What is cross-addiction?
A. Using two substances at the same time
B. Replacing one addiction with another addictive substance or behavior
C. Mixing alcohol with medication
D. Recovering from more than one substance use disorder
Replacing one addiction with another addictive substance or behavior.
A person in early recovery says, “I know using will cause problems, but when I get a craving it feels like I have to use.” Which concept from addiction science best explains this experience?
A. The brain’s reward system can become highly activated during cravings, making it harder for the prefrontal cortex to regulate impulses and decision-making.
B. The person’s substance use disorder is caused only by a lack of motivation and poor decision-making skills.
C. The brain returns to its original functioning immediately after stopping substance use, but cravings continue because of habit alone.
D. The person is experiencing withdrawal because all cravings are caused by physical symptoms after stopping substance use.
A. The brain’s reward system can become highly activated during cravings, making it harder for the prefrontal cortex to regulate impulses and decision-making.