Triggers & Cravings
This type of trigger involves specific people, locations, or objects that spark the urge to use.
What is an external trigger?
The first 15 days of recovery are often called this phase, characterized by exhaustion, intense cravings, and unpredictable moods.
What is the "Honeymoon" or "Withdrawal" phase?
This primary neurotransmitter is responsible for feelings of pleasure and is heavily hijacked by stimulant abuse.
What is Dopamine?
This cognitive distortion involves minimizing the consequences of using just "one more time" or telling oneself, "I can handle it now."
What is Relapse Justification (or rationalization)?
This fundamental behavioral change involves filling your day with planned, predictable tasks to eliminate dangerous periods of boredom.
What is Structuring Time (or a daily schedule)?
Internal emotional states like boredom, anxiety, or anger that lead to cravings are known as these.
What are internal triggers?
Running from day 16 to roughly day 45, this phase often brings a surge of energy and false confidence where the person feels "cured."
What is the Honeymoon phase?
This term describes the physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that can persist for months after the acute detox period ends.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
This defense mechanism causes an individual to refuse to accept the reality of their addiction despite overwhelming negative evidence.
What is Denial?
This broad category of techniques includes snapping a rubber band on your wrist, changing your location, or visualization to halt an intrusive craving.
What is Thought Stopping?
This acronym highlights four dangerous physical or emotional states that make a person highly vulnerable to triggers: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.
What is HALT?
Occurring between days 46 and 120, this lengthy phase is famous for feelings of boredom, depression, and a lack of energy as the brain adjusts.
What is The Wall?
The brain's natural ability to reorganize, heal, and form new neural pathways after stopping substance use is called this.
What is neuroplasticity?
This type of thinking error happens when you focus solely on the "good times" of past substance use while completely forgetting the painful consequences.
What is Euphoric Recall?
This community-focused Matrix pillar strongly encourages clients to attend outside meetings like AA, NA, or SMART Recovery to build a sober network.
What is 12-Step / Mutual-Help Participation?
True or False: In the Matrix Model, cravings are considered a sign of treatment failure.
What is False? (Cravings are a normal, temporary biological response during the healing process).
This is the final stage mapped out in the standard 4-month Matrix curriculum, lasting from day 121 to 180.
What is the Adjustment phase?
According to Matrix statistics, stimulant users are this many times more likely to relapse on their primary drug if they consume alcohol.
What is 8 times more likely?
While guilt means "I did something bad," this painful emotion means "I am bad," which frequently drives people back to substance use.
What is Shame?
This tool is used randomly during the 16-week Matrix model to provide objective feedback, accountability, and positive reinforcement.
What is Urine Drug Screening?
This specific behavior pattern occurs when an individual gradually stops following their recovery plan, drifting closer to high-risk environments before an actual relapse happens.
What is a Relapse Drift?
This is the ultimate, long-term phase of the roadmap that begins after 6 months of continuous abstinence.
What is the Resolution phase?
This part of the brain manages logical decisions and impulse control, and is temporarily taken "offline" during active addiction.
What is the Prefrontal Cortex?
This is the Matrix term for inner thoughts that tell you that you cannot survive a craving, or that recovery is pointless.
What is Addictive Voice (or automatic thoughts)?
This specific coping tool requires a person to sit through a craving without giving in, visualizing it like a wave that peaks and naturally subsides.
What is Urge Surfing?
The Matrix Model was originally developed in the 1980s to specifically target an epidemic of this distinct class of drugs.
What are Stimulants? (Specifically Cocaine and Methamphetamine)