Triggers/Cravings
What type of triggers are people, places, and things?
External Triggers
What type of coping skill involves engaging in activities that take your mind off of the craving?
Distractions
True or False: Developing emotional sobriety can improve relationships with family and friends.
True. By managing emotions, people in recovery can improve communication and rebuild trust in relationships.
True or False: Avoiding all situations where alcohol or drugs are present is a sign of a strong recovery plan.
True.
True or False: Healthy communication is one-sided and focuses only on expressing your own needs.
False. Healthy communication involves both expressing your needs and listening to others’ needs and feelings.
What type of trigger is "anxiety"?
Name one example of a healthy coping mechanism for stress.
Exercise, journaling, or talking with a therapist or support person.
True or False: Feeling overwhelmed by emotions is a sign that emotional sobriety is failing.
False. Everyone experiences overwhelming emotions sometimes. The key is being able to handle them in a sober, constructive way without turning to substances.
Name a common sign that someone might be heading toward a relapse.
Isolation
True or False: Setting boundaries is a sign of selfishness or weakness.
False. Setting boundaries is an important act of self-care and respect for both yourself and others.
What does "HALT" stand for in relation to cravings?
HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. These are emotional or physical states that can trigger cravings.
Name one healthy coping strategy to use when faced with a craving.
Going for a walk, deep breathing, or practicing grounding techniques.
True or False: Being emotionally sober means you always feel positive and happy.
False. Emotional sobriety means dealing with all emotions, both positive and negative, in a healthy way, not just feeling happy all the time.
What are the three stages of relapse?
Emotional, Mental, and Physical
What’s a good strategy to use when you need to communicate an uncomfortable or difficult message?
Use "I" statements (e.g., “I feel…” or “I need…”) to express your feelings and needs without blaming or criticizing the other person.
True or False: Cravings typically go away on their own over time.
True. With practice, cravings can diminish or pass more easily.
What is "urge surfing" in the context of addiction recovery?
"Urge surfing" is a technique where you focus on riding out the craving like a wave, allowing it to pass without acting on it.
What is one daily practice that can help build emotional sobriety?
Gratitude journaling, meditation, or mindfulness can help build emotional sobriety by increasing self-awareness and emotional control.
What is the first step in managing a potential relapse situation?
Recognize the warning signs and take immediate action, such as reaching out for help or removing yourself from high-risk situations.
Name one boundary you might set in a friendship during recovery.
Limiting the amount of time spent with friends who use substances or engaging in activities that could trigger cravings.
When experiencing a craving, what should you do first to assess if you can avoid using substances?
Pause and ask yourself: “Is this craving related to a specific trigger, and how can I deal with it without using?”
Name one method of "cognitive restructuring" that can help prevent cravings.
Changing negative thinking patterns, such as replacing "I can't handle this" with "I can get through this and stay sober."
What’s one way to handle feelings of guilt or shame that might arise during recovery?
Practicing self-compassion, seeking therapy, and sharing feelings in a support group can help manage guilt or shame constructively, promoting emotional sobriety.
Why is regular self-reflection important in relapse prevention?
Regular self-reflection helps you monitor your emotional state, identify potential triggers, and adjust your relapse prevention plan as needed.
What is the connection between setting healthy boundaries and maintaining sobriety?
Healthy boundaries protect individuals from situations that could lead to relapse, such as toxic relationships, enabling behaviors, or high-risk situations.