Coping Skills
What’s the difference between a healthy coping skill and avoidance?
Healthy = helps long-term; avoidance = temporary relief, often makes things worse
What’s the difference between an internal and external trigger?
👉 internal = thoughts/emotions; external = people, places, situations
What’s the difference between reacting and responding?
👉 reacting = impulsive
responding = thoughtful/intentional
Why is motivation unreliable in recovery?
👉 it comes and goes—discipline/routine matter more
Name one healthy boundary you can set with a friend.
👉 saying “no,” limiting contact, protecting time/space, expressing needs
Name a coping skill that works in public without anyone noticing.
deep breathing, grounding, positive self-talk, counting, posture reset
Why is HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) important in recovery?
👉 these states increase vulnerability to relapse
Name a “masked emotion” (what anger might actually be covering).
👉 hurt, fear, shame, sadness
What is one healthy habit that takes less than 5 minutes but can improve your day?
How do you recognize a toxic relationship?
👉 consistently disrespectful, manipulative, triggering, draining
You’re overwhelmed at work and can’t leave—what’s a realistic coping strategy?
take a short break, breathing, step away briefly, re-prioritize tasks
You run into someone you used to use with—what’s your first move?
👉 leave, set boundary, call support, don’t engage
What’s emotional flooding and what happens when it occurs?
👉 overwhelmed by emotion → can’t think clearly, impulsive behavior
How does isolation impact mental health and substance use?
👉 increases depression, cravings, relapse risk
What’s a respectful way to say “no” without feeling guilty?
👉 polite but firm, explain briefly, no over-apologizing, suggest alternative if appropriate
Why don’t coping skills work sometimes—even when you use them?
wrong skill for situation, not practiced enough, too overwhelmed, unrealistic expectations
What’s the “danger zone” thinking pattern before relapse?
👉 “just one won’t hurt,” minimizing, romanticizing use
Why do some people avoid feeling emotions altogether?
👉 fear, trauma, lack of skills, learned behavior
What’s a realistic way to build a routine if you currently have none?
👉 start small (1–2 habits), same time daily, build gradually
True or False: Avoiding conflict always protects your mental health.
👉 False – avoiding can create resentment, stress, and harm relationships
You try a coping skill (like deep breathing or walking) and it doesn’t work. What should you do next?
Why can good feelings (celebrations, success) also be triggers?
👉 lower guard, habit of celebrating with use, overconfidence
Someone says, “I’m just an angry person—that’s how I am.” Do you agree or disagree, and why?
Why can “all-or-nothing thinking” destroy healthy habits?
👉 one mistake → giving up entirely
You notice a friend is triggering your cravings. What’s your first step?
👉 set boundaries, limit interaction, use coping skills, reach out for support