Know Your Triggers
What is a trigger in addiction recovery?
Anything that reminds a person of substance use or increases the urge to use drugs or alcohol.
Why can strong emotions increase the risk of relapse?
Strong emotions can create stress, discomfort, or impulsive thinking that may lead someone to want to escape their feelings by using drugs or alcohol.
What is a relapse prevention plan specifically?
A plan that identifies personal triggers, warning signs, coping skills, and people to contact for support to help prevent a return to substance use.
Why is getting enough sleep important for someone in recovery (specifically)?
Sleep helps improve mood, concentration, decision-making, and the ability to manage stress. Lack of sleep can increase irritability, cravings, and relapse risk.
What does acceptance mean in addiction recovery?
Recognizing and acknowledging reality, even when we don't like it, rather than denying it, fighting it, or trying to control things we cannot change.
What is the difference between an internal trigger and an external trigger?
Internal triggers come from within, such as emotions, thoughts, or cravings. External triggers come from your surroundings, such as people, places, or situations.
True or False: Only negative emotions, such as anger, sadness, and fear, can trigger a relapse.
False. Positive emotions like excitement, happiness, and overconfidence can also increase relapse risk.
Name three healthy activities that can help someone protect their recovery.
Exercise, attending support meetings, spending time with sober friends, practicing hobbies, getting enough sleep, or participating in treatment. (Any three.)
What does HALT stand for in relapse prevention?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. These are four conditions that can make someone more vulnerable to relapse.
What is the difference between something you CAN control and something you CANNOT control? Give one example of each.
You CAN control your own choices, actions, and responses. You CANNOT control other people's thoughts, feelings, decisions, or behavior.
Name three emotions that can act as triggers for relapse.
Anger, loneliness, boredom, sadness, anxiety, excitement, or even happiness. (Any three.)
What is the difference between feeling angry and acting on anger?
Anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences. Acting on anger is a choice. We cannot always control how we feel, but we can learn to control how we respond.
Why is it important to set boundaries with people who are still using drugs or alcohol?
Boundaries help protect recovery by reducing exposure to triggers, peer pressure, and situations that may increase the risk of relapse.
Name three ways that taking care of your physical health can support your recovery.
Eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, attending medical appointments, and taking prescribed medications as directed. (Any three.)
Someone in recovery thinks, "I made so many mistakes in my past. I'll never be able to have a good life." What is a healthier way to reframe this thought?
"I cannot change my past, but I can learn from my mistakes and make better choices today. My past does not have to determine my future."
A person in recovery unexpectedly runs into an old friend they used drugs with. The friend invites them to hang out. What are two things the person can do to protect their recovery?
Politely decline the invitation, leave the situation, contact a sober support person, or use a previously developed relapse prevention plan. (Any two.)
Someone in recovery has a terrible day. They feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and think, "I deserve to get high after everything I've been through." What is one unhealthy thinking pattern in this statement, and what could they do instead?
They are using their emotions to justify substance use. Instead, they could recognize the feeling, challenge the thought, talk to someone supportive, or use a healthy coping skill.
A person in recovery stops attending groups, begins isolating from friends, and tells themselves, "I'm doing fine. I don't need anyone's help anymore." What might these behaviors indicate?
These may be early warning signs of relapse. Isolation, withdrawing from support, and becoming overconfident can increase relapse risk, even before cravings or substance use occur.
Someone in recovery has been skipping meals, sleeping poorly, and feeling overwhelmed. They say, "I don't understand why I'm suddenly having cravings again." How might their lack of self-care be contributing to these cravings?
Poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and unmanaged stress can affect mood, energy, and decision-making. Neglecting basic needs can make it harder to manage cravings and maintain recovery.
A person in recovery becomes angry because their family still doesn't trust them, even though they have been sober for six months. How could practicing acceptance help them handle this situation?
They can accept that rebuilding trust takes time and that they cannot force others to trust them. Instead of becoming angry or giving up, they can focus on what they CAN control: staying sober, being honest, keeping commitments, and demonstrating positive changes through their actions.
Someone says, "I've been sober for a year. I don't have cravings anymore, so I don't need to worry about triggers." What is wrong with this thinking?
Triggers can occur unexpectedly, even after long periods of sobriety. Feeling confident is positive, but believing you are no longer at risk can lead to letting your guard down and making risky decisions. Recovery requires continued awareness and healthy coping skills.
A person in recovery says, "I don't want to feel angry, sad, or disappointed anymore. I just want to be happy all the time." Why might this way of thinking actually make recovery more difficult?
All emotions are a normal part of life. Trying to avoid or suppress uncomfortable feelings can increase stress and cravings. Successful recovery involves learning to experience, accept, and manage emotions without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Someone in recovery unexpectedly experiences a strong craving while home alone. They know their former dealer's phone number and begin thinking about calling. What are three immediate actions they could take to protect their recovery?
Contact a sober support person, change their environment or leave the triggering situation, use a coping skill such as taking a walk or practicing deep breathing, and remind themselves of the consequences of returning to substance use. (Any three.)
A person in recovery says, "As long as I'm not using drugs, I'm doing everything I need to do to stay healthy." Why is this thinking incomplete?
Recovery involves more than simply stopping substance use. Long-term recovery also includes caring for physical and mental health, developing healthy relationships, managing stress, building routines, and finding meaningful activities that support a balanced life.
"If I accept that I have a substance use disorder, that means I'm admitting defeat and giving up." Why is this an example of unhealthy thinking, and what does acceptance actually mean in recovery?
Acceptance is not the same as giving up. It means honestly recognizing a problem so you can take responsibility and make positive changes. Accepting a substance use disorder allows someone to seek help, develop coping skills, and take control of their recovery rather than continuing to deny or avoid the problem.