Coping Skills
This simple breathing technique helps calm the nervous system in under 2 minutes.
What is deep breathing/ belly breathing?
A trigger is any person, place, thing, or _______ that leads to cravings.
What is emotion?
This is the body’s natural “fight, flight, or freeze” response to stress.
What is anxiety/stress response?
Getting 7–9 hours of this per night can improve mood and reduce cravings
What is sleep?
This 2-letter acronym refers to a program with steps and sponsors.
What is AA or NA?
Writing about your feelings is a daily practice can help you process emotions.
What is journaling?
This strategy involves avoiding situations that lead to relapse.
What is trigger avoidance or relapse prevention?
This condition often co-occurs with addiction and causes persistent sadness or lack of energy.
What is depression?
This form of movement releases endorphins, reduce stress, improves mood and self-esteem, and supports recovery.
What is exercise?
The opposite of addiction is often said to be this.
What is connection?
This coping tool involves using the five senses to ground yourself in the present. It involves focusing on your breath and the present moment.
What is mindfulness (or grounding techniques)?
HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and this.
What is Tired?
This term describes taking responsibility for your own healing and growth.
What is accountability?
Drinking enough of this daily ice cold beverage helps with physical and emotional regulation.
What is water?
This phrase means taking it one moment at a time without overwhelming yourself.
What is “one day at a time”?
Calling a sponsor or trusted friend when feeling triggered is an example of this type of coping skill.
What is reaching out / using a support system?
Cravings usually peak and pass within this amount of time.
What takes 20–30 minutes?
The brain chemical often linked to mood regulation and well-being.
What is serotonin?
Creating a daily schedule helps provide this important element for recovery.
What is structure or routine?
The act of admitting you're struggling and asking for help
What is vulnerability or honesty?
This form of therapy helps you challenge negative thoughts and build healthier thinking patterns. Focused in the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
A grounding technique for managing your unwanted behaviors where rather than giving in to an urge, you will ride it out until the urge passes on its own.
What is urge surfing or mental rehearsal?
This practice involves noticing and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment
What is self-compassion or mindfulness?
Eating meals with whole foods and fewer processed ingredients supports this.
What is mental and physical health?
This is the term for going back to substance use after a period of sobriety.
What is relapse?