Relapse Warning Signs
This often happens before a relapse when a person starts withdrawing from healthy supports.
What is isolation?
Receiving unexpected bad news, losing a job, or experiencing a breakup are examples of this type of high-risk situation.
What is stress or an emotional trigger?
This document helps identify triggers, warning signs, and coping skills.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
True or False: Relapse happens suddenly with no warning signs.
What is False? Relapse has several warning signs that usually present themselves before it happens.
Recovery often begins when a person develops this willingness to accept help and make changes.
What is openness?
A person begins thinking about the "good times" of using while forgetting the consequences. This is called:
What is euphoric recall or reliving the "glory" days?
Being around old friends who still use substances can increase this.
What is relapse risk?
This simple recovery principle encourages focusing on today's sobriety rather than forever.
What is "One Day at a Time"?
True or False: Asking for help is a sign of weakness.
What is False? Strong people recognize when they need support.
Recovery involves improving physical, emotional, mental, and this type of wellness.
What is spiritual wellness?
True or False: Relapse begins only when a person uses drugs or alcohol.
What is False? You can have an emotional relapse before a physical relapse ever happens.
Celebrations, vacations, holidays, and sporting events can increase relapse risk because they often involve this.
What is exposure to alcohol or drug-related environments?
This recovery tool involves contacting someone for support before a problem becomes a crisis.
What is reaching out?
Recovery gets easier when you isolate yourself from others.
What is False? Support systems provide accountability and encouragement.
Recovery often requires this opposite of isolation.
What is connection?
A person begins making excuses for risky behavior, telling themselves, "Just this once won't hurt." This cognitive distortion is known as
What is rationalization?
This recovery skill involves avoiding people, places, and things connected to past substance use.
What is trigger management?
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, this tool helps individuals challenge distorted thinking patterns before those thoughts lead to unhealthy behaviors.
What is cognitive restructuring?
A setback means recovery is impossible.
What is False? What matters most is how a person responds after a setback.
According to recovery wisdom, what is one thing more important than how long you've been sober?
What is the quality of your recovery, your daily choices, your honesty, or your commitment to growth?
Name three common warning signs that someone may be moving toward relapse.
Isolation, dishonesty, increased stress, skipping meetings, cravings, poor self-care, associating with unhealthy people, overconfidence, etc.
This high-risk situation occurs when someone believes they can control or safely return to using after a period of sobriety.
What is the illusion of control?
This acronym reminds us to stop and think before reacting: S.T.O.P.
What is Stop, Take a Breath, Observe, Proceed?
This myth causes people to believe that one mistake means their recovery is ruined and they should give up.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
Research and recovery communities alike often identify this as one of the strongest protective factors against relapse, stronger than willpower alone.
What is connection/social support?