External Triggers
These are the people outside our family who we allow to get close to us: They can either lift you up or lead you into trouble, depending on who you choose to associate with.
Friends
A powerful yet very common emotion that can mask hurt feelings, fuel aggression, trigger relapse, or motivate change—depending on how we manage it
Anger
- This avoidant behavior might seem easier at first, but it’s actually a warning sign that someone is pulling away from support.
Isolating/Isolation
Because setbacks are often part of the process of recovery from substance use and mental health challenges, developing this powerful quality helps us to be able to “bounce back” and keep moving forward
Resilience
Every word needs to have one to avoid being nonsense and every life needs this to avoid being empty
Meaning
This useful device almost everyone has can be a quick way to contact a positive support, but make sure to remove drug dealers, back stabbers, and drama starters from it if you want to stay on a positive path
This triggering and often sad emotion is closely associated with losing someone or something or the anniversary of the loss
Grief
People often make these up in their own minds to sound like explanations or reasons, but they’re really just empty ways to avoid the truth or dodge responsibility
Excuses
While how we speak to others matters, but changing for the better often depends on learning to speak more positively to this special person— the one we’re always around.
Self/Ourselves (Positive Self Talk)
This is not one of the main five senses but when you make a positive connection with a group of people you feel a sense of __
Belonging
These special days that come up several times per year are often associated with family traditions and parties which can be challenging to deal with especially early in recovery
Holidays/Anniversaries
This can be experienced physically in our body or emotionally in our mind, and in either case, it can trigger the urge to self-medicate as a way to escape.
Pain
This common but avoidable state of mind often creeps in when there’s nothing to do, and can lead people to chase excitement or relief in unhealthy ways, especially during early recovery
Boredom
Whether you call it mindfulness or insight, this ability to look inward with honesty helps us understand who we really are—and stay aligned with our goals, motives, and values.
Self-Awareness
A meaningful life has this, but spell it a bit differently it is a sea creature like a dolphin that starts with letter P
Purpose/Porpoise
We need this to survive in this world and almost everyone wants more of it, but when you get a lot of it at once it can this be a huge trigger
Money
A negative and critical inner voice fueled by past trauma, stigma, or unmet expectations often speaks through this toxic emotion.
Shame
This common behavior often begins with small lies or half-truths to avoid consequences in the moment—but over time, it can damage trust, hurt relationships, and prevent personal progress especially when the truth eventually comes out.
Dishonesty
Coping with substance use and mental health challenges is never about perfection—what truly matters is striving for a little more of this positive change each day
Progress
This is not an auditory hallucination rather it’s positive silent voice in your head guiding you in which way you should go
Conscience
Common objects a person associates with substance use that can be triggering such as straws, razors, spoons, pipes
Paraphernelia
This dangerous mindset makes people believe they’re past the danger, ignoring warning signs and thinking they’ve got it all under control— even when they don’t.
Overconfidence/Cockiness
This risky pattern of behavior bypasses thinking, planning, and self-control—leading straight into action, often followed by consequences like regret, setbacks, trouble, or relapse
Impulsivity/ Impulsiveness
When emotions start to spiral or anxiety takes over, this coping skill helps bring us back to the present moment by using our senses or focusing on what’s around us or even what is directly beneath our feet
Grounding
TWO ANSWERS: You’ve got to give these to get these and when you have these for yourself you show these to others
Love and Respect