Triggers and Warning SIgns
What is a trigger?
Answer: Something that causes a strong emotional reaction or increases the chance of an unhealthy response.
A person, place, situation, thought, feeling, or experience that can increase difficult emotions or lead to unhealthy choices.
What is a coping skill?
A healthy strategy used to manage emotions, stress, triggers, or difficult situations.
Can we control every situation that happens in life?
No. We cannot control every situation, but we can control our choices and responses.
Name one thing that is within your control.
Choices, reactions, asking for help, boundaries, coping skills, and decisions.
What does discharge readiness mean?
Being prepared to continue using skills, supports, and plans after leaving treatment.
Why is recognizing triggers early helpful?
It gives you time to pause, think, and choose a healthier response.
Name one healthy coping skill.
Deep breathing, grounding, exercise, walking, journaling, relaxation, talking to someone, or listening to music.
What is the difference between an emotion and an action?
An emotion is a feeling; an action is the behavior or choice that follows.
Name one thing that is outside of your control.
Other people's opinions, other people's choices, the past, or unexpected situations.
Name one challenge someone may face after discharge.
Stress, cravings, family conflict, old environments, boredom, loneliness, or adjusting to changes.
Name one type of trigger.
Why is it important to practice coping skills before a crisis?
Practicing skills ahead of time makes them easier to use during stressful moments.
Why is it helpful to identify emotions before reacting?
It creates time to think, use skills, and choose a healthier response.
Why is asking for help important in recovery?
It provides support and helps prevent challenges from becoming bigger problems.
Why is having a plan after discharge important?
A plan provides structure, support, and preparation for challenges.
Name one warning sign that you may be starting to struggle.
Do coping skills make difficult emotions disappear?
No. Coping skills help manage emotions and improve responses to difficult situations.
How can thoughts affect emotions and behaviors?
Thoughts can influence feelings and impact the choices we make.
What is the difference between short-term relief and long-term recovery choices?
Short-term relief focuses on feeling better immediately, while long-term recovery choices support stability, goals, and overall well-being over time.
Name one support or resource someone can use after discharge.
Family, friends, treatment providers, recovery groups, counseling, or other supports.
What is one thing you can do when you notice a trigger?
Someone is feeling overwhelmed and wants to react immediately. What coping skill could help create space before making a choice?
Taking a pause, breathing, taking space, grounding, or talking to support.
Someone says, "I am angry, so I have to act on it." What would be a healthier way to think about this?
Feelings are valid, but we can choose how we respond to them.
Why is setting boundaries an important recovery skill?
Boundaries help protect recovery by creating limits around people, situations, or behaviors that may be unhealthy or increase risk
What does the statement "Recovery happens one decision at a time" mean?
Recovery is built through daily choices and each decision is an opportunity to use skills and move toward goals.