Triggers & Cravings
A person, place, feeling, or situation that increases the urge to use substances.
What is a trigger?
Slowly inhaling and exhaling can help reduce anxiety and physical tension.
What is deep breathing?
Returning to substance use after a period of abstinence.
What is a relapse?
Getting enough of this helps improve mood, concentration, and decision-making.
What is sleep?
Recovery is best described as this type of process—not a single event.
What is an ongoing process?
An intense desire or urge to use alcohol or other drugs.
What is a craving?
Calling a sponsor, counselor, or sober friend is an example of using this.
What is a support system?
A written list of triggers, warning signs, coping skills, and supportive contacts.
What is a relapse-prevention plan?
Clear limits that protect your recovery and emotional well-being.
What are boundaries?
Substance use disorder can affect the brain, behavior, relationships, health, and this ability to manage daily responsibilities.
What is functioning?
Leaving a risky situation before a craving becomes stronger is an example of this.
What is a coping strategy?
Walking, running, or lifting weights can improve mood and reduce stress through this activity.
What is exercise?
Romanticizing past substance use while forgetting its consequences is this type of warning sign.
What is a mental warning sign?
Meetings, counseling, medication when prescribed, and sober activities are examples of these.
What are recovery supports?
Experiencing a setback does not erase a person’s previous recovery progress; instead, it signals the need for this.
What is additional support?
This craving-management technique reminds clients to recognize that urges rise, peak, and eventually pass.
What is urge surfing?
Paying attention to the present moment without judging your thoughts or feelings.
What is mindfulness?
Changes in attitude, isolation, and stopping recovery activities may indicate this stage of relapse.
What is emotional relapse?
Replacing people, places, and routines connected to substance use with healthier choices is called this.
What is lifestyle change?
Taking medication exactly as directed by a medical provider is known as this.
What is medication adherence?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired are represented by this recovery acronym.
What is HALT?
Writing down thoughts, emotions, triggers, and successes is known as this coping skill.
What is journaling?
Contacting support, leaving the situation, and using a coping skill should be included in this response to cravings.
What is an action plan?
Focusing on physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental well-being supports this whole-person approach.
What is holistic recovery?
Respecting each person’s individual recovery choices reflects the belief that there are many of these.
What are pathways to recovery?