Identify triggers
This acronym represents four high-risk emotional states: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.
what is H,A,L,T
During this initial stage of relapse, the individual is not actively thinking about using, but their emotions and behaviors are setting them up for it.
What is emotional relapse
This foundational 12-step tool involves calling a designated peer mentor immediately when a craving strikes.
What is contacting a sponsor?
The cognitive trap where an individual convinces themselves: "I can have just one drink/hit and control it this time."
What is relapse justification
A designated person in a recovery program whom you can call at any time of day or night when you are actively facing a relapse threat.
sponsor? (or recovery coach)
Running into an old friend you used to use substances with is an example of this type of external cue.
What is a social trigger? (Acceptable: people trigger)
In this second stage, a war breaks out in the person's mind between the desire to use and the desire to stay clean.
What is mental relapse?
This mental strategy involves playing out a relapse scenario to its ultimate negative conclusion rather than just focusing on the initial high.
What is playing the tape through?
The type of extreme "all-or-nothing" thinking where a person believes, "I already messed up once today, so I might as well just completely blow it."
What is polarized thinking? (or black-and-white thinking)
A non-religious, evidence-based recovery fellowship that focuses heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and self-empowerment rather than a higher power.
What is SMART Recovery
Celebrating a major promotion or winning a jackpot can trigger a relapse due to this specific type of intense emotional state.
What is overconfidence? (Acceptable: positive emotional state)
This final stage involves the actual event of driving to a dealer, liquor store, or pharmacy to acquire the substance.
What is physical relapse?
This craving-busting technique requires waiting out an urge for 15 to 30 minutes, visualizing it as a wave that will eventually crest and break.
What is urge surfing?
The psychological act of swapping out one addiction or unhealthy habit for another, such as replacing alcohol abuse with compulsive gambling or overeating.
What is cross-addiction
The international, 12-step peer fellowship whose only requirement for membership is a simple "desire to stop drinking
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA
This biological phenomenon occurs when exposure to a minor amount of a substance reawakens severe physiological cravings.
What is the priming effect?
Neglecting self-care, skipping support meetings, and isolating from friends are key warning signs of this specific relapse stage.
What is emotional relapse?
This behavioral strategy involves physically removing oneself from a high-risk situation, like leaving a party early.
What is an exit strategy?
The defensive mental mechanism of minimizing your past substance use or denying that it ever caused severe consequences in your life
What is denial
This specific type of specialized living environment offers a structured, drug-free transition back into society after graduating from a residential rehab facility
This psychological trap happens when a person believes they are cured and can safely use a substance just "one time" or in moderation.
What is the illusion of control?
Bargaining, minimizing risks, and glamorizing past substance use are cognitive signs of this stage.
This cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique involves identifying irrational thoughts during a craving and actively challenging them with facts.
What is cognitive restructuring? (Acceptable: thought challenging)
A behavior state where an individual is entirely physically sober, but still exhibits the exact same toxic behavioral patterns, anger, and chaotic choices they had while actively using.
What is "dry drunk" syndrome
The official, easy-to-remember 3-digit national hotline number in the United States used for mental health crises and suicide prevention support.
What is 988