Triggers and Temptations
What is a trigger in addiction recovery?
A person, place, feeling, thought, or situation that increases the urge to use substances.
True or false: Relapse warning signs can begin before a person uses a substance.
True. Changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior may occur before substance use.
Name one healthy coping skill for stress.
Examples: deep breathing, walking, journaling, meditation, or talking with someone.
True or false: Addiction can affect the brain's reward and decision-making systems.
True.
You are having a bad day and want to isolate. Name one healthy action you could take.
Reach out to a trusted person, attend a meeting, take a walk, or participate in a supportive activity.
Name three common triggers people may experience after leaving treatment.
Examples: stress, loneliness, arguments, old friends, certain places, boredom, or celebrations.
Name two behaviors that may indicate someone is moving away from recovery.
Skipping meetings, isolating, dishonesty, avoiding support, or neglecting routines.
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
True or false: Experiencing a craving means someone has already failed in recovery.
False. Cravings can occur during recovery; how someone responds is what matters.
An old friend texts you asking to hang out, but you used drugs together in the past. What could you do?
Set a boundary, decline the invitation, block contact if needed, and connect with sober supports.
What is the difference between an internal and an external trigger?
Internal triggers are thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations. External triggers come from the environment, such as people, places, or objects.
What does the term 'romanticizing your addiction' mean?
Remembering the perceived enjoyable parts of using while minimizing or ignoring the negative consequences.
Name three ways to manage a craving without acting on it.
Delay acting, contact support, change environments, use grounding, exercise, or practice urge surfing.
True or false: Medication-assisted treatment means someone is not really in recovery.
False. Evidence-based medications can be an important part of recovery.
You get into an argument with your significant other and immediately experience cravings. What are two things you should do?
Pause and regulate emotions, remove yourself from conflict if needed, and contact recovery support.
You hear a song that reminds you of using. What are two healthy responses?
Change the song, contact a support person, practice grounding, leave the situation, or use another coping skill.
Someone says, 'I've been sober for 30 days. I don't need support anymore.' What warning sign might this represent?
Overconfidence, complacency, or minimizing the importance of continued recovery support.
What is grounding, and when might someone use it?
Grounding redirects attention to the present moment, often through the senses, and can help manage anxiety, distress, or cravings.
True or false: A person can experience relapse risk even when life is going well.
True. Positive emotions, celebrations, and overconfidence can also create risks
You receive your first paycheck after treatment and feel tempted to buy substances. What is your plan?
Create a budget, use accountability with money, avoid high-risk contacts, and reach out to support immediately.
Why can positive emotions or celebrations sometimes be relapse triggers?
Excitement, overconfidence, and celebrations can lead to lowered boundaries, risky environments, or the belief that using just once will be safe.
Name three actions a person can take when they recognize early relapse warning signs.
Tell someone, contact a sponsor or counselor, attend support meetings, review the relapse prevention plan, and avoid high-risk situations.
Explain the difference between avoiding an emotion and regulating an emotion.
Avoiding means escaping or suppressing the feeling. Regulating means recognizing it and responding in a healthy, intentional way.
True or false: One return to substance use means all previous recovery progress is erased.
False. A return to use is serious and may require immediate support and treatment reassessment, but it does not erase previous progress.
You have been sober for several months and start thinking you can use 'just one time.' What thinking pattern is occurring, and how can you challenge it?
Minimization, rationalization, or overconfidence. Challenge it by reviewing past consequences, recognizing addiction risks, and discussing the thought with a trusted support person.