Triggers
A person, place, or thing that increases the urge to use.
What is a trigger?
Taking slow, deep breaths is an example of this coping skill.
What is mindfulness/deep breathing?
A person who guides and supports someone in recovery.
What is a sponsor?
A return to substance use after a period of abstinence.
What is a relapse?
This chemical in the brain is often associated with pleasure and reward.
What is dopamine?
HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and _____.
What is tired?
This coping skill involves talking to someone you trust.
What is reaching out for support?
These meetings provide peer support for recovery.
What are mutual-support meetings? (12-steps, CR, Recovery Dharma, etc.)
Cravings typically do not last forever; they tend to _____.
What is pass/pass like a wave?
Laughter can reduce stress and improve this.
What is mood?
These are emotions that often increase relapse risk.
What are negative emotions?
Physical activity can help reduce cravings and improve this.
What is mood?
A written strategy for staying sober.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
This technique involves riding out a craving without acting on it.
What is urge surfing?
Sleep is important because it helps the brain and body do this.
What is recover/heal?
Running into an old dealer is an example of this type of trigger.
What is external?
This DBT skill encourages focusing on the present moment without judgment.
What is mindfulness?
Recovery often improves this important part of life involving family and friends.
What are relationships?
Missing meetings, isolating, and stopping self-care can be examples of these.
What are warning signs?
Gratitude practices have been shown to improve this aspect of mental health.
What is overall well-being?
Thinking "I can use just one time" is an example of this.
What is a high-risk thought/cognitive distortion?
Identifying irrational thoughts and replacing them with realistic ones is a key CBT technique.
What is cognitive restructuring?
Building a network of supportive people helps increase this.
What is accountability?
The first stage of relapse often begins before actual substance use.
What is emotional relapse?
Name three healthy activities that can support recovery.
What are exercise, hobbies, meetings, journaling, meditation, volunteering, etc.?