Triggers
What is a trigger?
A person, place, feeling, thought, memory, or situation that increases the urge to use or return to unhealthy behavior.
What is a craving?
A strong urge or desire to use a substance or engage in an old unhealthy behavior.
What does neuroplasticity mean?
The brain’s ability to change and form new pathways through repeated experiences, thoughts, and behaviors.
Reframe this thought: “I already messed up, so I might as well keep going.” What thinking trap is this?
“One mistake does not have to become a pattern. I can pause, take responsibility, and make a healthier choice right now.”
Name one healthy habit that supports recovery.
Examples: sleep, meetings/groups, exercise, medication compliance, regular meals, journaling, support, structure, boundaries, mindfulness.
Name two emotional triggers.
Stress, anger, loneliness, boredom, shame, anxiety, grief, disappointment, fear.
Name one healthy action to take when a craving hits.
Tell someone, change locations, walk, journal, ground yourself, call support, attend a meeting, eat, shower, or use distraction.
Why does repeating healthy behavior matter in recovery?
Repetition strengthens healthy pathways, making the new response easier and more automatic over time.
Reframe this thought: “I know everyone here is judging me.”
“I cannot know what everyone is thinking. I can focus on being present and participating in my own recovery.”
Why is sleep important in recovery?
It supports emotional regulation, impulse control, concentration, stress tolerance, and craving management.
A person gets in an argument, feels disrespected, and wants to isolate. Identify the trigger and one healthy response.
Trigger: conflict or feeling disrespected. Healthy response: pause, take space, talk to staff/support, journal, use grounding, or attend group instead of isolating.
True or false: A craving is an order you have to obey.
False. A craving is temporary and uncomfortable, but it does not have to control behavior.
Give an example of an old automatic reaction and a new recovery response?
An old reaction may be isolating, lying, lashing out, or using. A recovery response is a deliberate healthy choice, such as pausing, reaching out, coping, or setting a boundary.
Reframe this thought: “I always fail” or “I never do anything right.”
“I have made mistakes, but that does not mean I always fail. I can recognize what I am doing well and keep working on change.”
Name two ways support people can help protect recovery.
Any two: accountability, encouragement, perspective, a safe person to call, help with coping, connection, and reducing isolation.
What is the difference between an external trigger and an internal trigger?
External triggers come from outside, such as people, places, music, or events. Internal triggers come from within, such as thoughts, feelings, pain, or memories.
Put these in order: urge, trigger, consequence, thought, behavior.
Trigger → thought → urge/craving → behavior → consequence.
Name two things that can make it easier for the brain to build new recovery pathways.
Any two: repetition, consistency, routine, sleep, exercise, connection, support, medication compliance, nutrition, mindfulness, accountability.
Reframe this thought: “If I feel anxious, something bad must be about to happen.”
“Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it is a feeling—not proof that something bad will happen. I can use a coping skill and let the feeling pass.”
Why can routines feel boring at first but still be powerful?
They create structure, reduce decision fatigue, and make healthy behaviors more automatic through repetition.
Your old using friends invite you somewhere you used to get high. Give a three-step recovery plan.
Example: Say no/leave or do not attend; contact a sober support person; go somewhere safe or complete a recovery activity.
A craving lasts 20 minutes and feels overwhelming. Give three things you could do instead of using.
Any three: tell someone, walk, ground yourself, breathe, shower, eat, journal, call support, attend a meeting, or leave the situation.
Explain how “pause, choose, repeat” can help rewire the brain.
Pause before reacting, choose a healthy recovery-based response, and repeat it consistently. Repetition strengthens the new pathway.
Reframe this thought: “I can handle just one.”
“One could restart my addiction cycle. I do not need to test myself; I need to reach out and choose a recovery-focused response.”
Build a realistic daily recovery routine using at least four healthy habits.
Example: eat breakfast, attend group or a meeting, exercise/walk, check in with support, eat regular meals, journal, take medication as prescribed, and keep a consistent bedtime.