Triggers & Cravings
Name 2 common triggers
1. stress
2. People
3. Places
4. Emotions
Name 1 healthy coping skill
Ex. Walking, Breathing, Calling someone ( bonus points if you say call your SPONSOR) + 20PTS
Name one unhealthy pattern that can lead toward relapse.
solation, skipping meetings, dishonesty, poor sleep, avoiding responsibilities.
what is relapse
Returning to substance use
name one person you can reach out to in recovery
Sponsor, Friend, Family
truth or false: Triggers are always external
False
what is grounding?
Bringing yourself to the present moment
Fill in the blank: Thoughts → Feelings → ________
Behaviors (or Actions).
Name one warning sign of relapse
Isolation, Cravings, negative thinking, skipping meeting, avoiding sponsor
why is it hard to ask for help
Pride, fear, shame, not knowing how or where
what is an emotional trigger?
Feelings like....
1. Anger
2. Sadness
3. Anxiety
you're overwhelmed and alone - next step?
Call support, group myself,
What is a behavior pattern?
A repeated way of thinking, feeling, or acting.
why is routine important?
You have stability which allows structure which reduces risk
what does accountability mean in recovery?
Being honest + taking resposability
How can you prepare ahead for a known trigger?
1. Plan coping skills
2. Avoid situation
3. Bring support
What's the difference between avoiding emotions and coping with emotions?
Avoiding emotions means trying not to feel them at all—pushing them away
Coping with emotions means allowing the feeling to be there and responding to it in a healthy way
Why is recognizing patterns important?
It helps prevent repeating unhealthy behaviors.
what are the 3 stages of relapse
Emotional, mental and physical
Support or Sabotage?
Which friend is more supportive?
Friend A: "One time won't hurt and no one will know."
Friend B: "Let's go grab coffee and hit a meeting "
What's the difference between a trigger and a craving?
Trigger= cause
Craving = urge
Without speaking, demonstrate a healthy coping skill.
Examples:
Name three warning signs that your recovery routine is slipping.
Missing appointments, isolation, increased stress, cravings, poor self-care, negative thinking.
True or False: A relapse begins only when someone uses a substance.
False. Emotional and mental relapse often happen before physical use
"Escape the Trigger"
Facilitator will give you the scenario
Your team has 90 seconds to come up with the best recovery plan.