Warning Signs
What is a warning sign?
This physical or mental change that happens first when your stress level starts creeping up, often described as a racing heart, clenched jaw, or restless energy.
Name one healthy coping skill someone can use when feeling stressed.
Examples: walking, grounding, journaling, breathing, or calling a support person.
What is a trigger in substance use recovery?
An internal or external cue associated with substance use that may increase cravings or urges.
True or false: Everyone in recovery has the same triggers.
False. Triggers differ based on personal experiences and associations.
True or false: Withdrawing from friends or support groups can be a warning sign that someone is struggling in recovery.
True. Isolation and avoiding support can indicate increased vulnerability.
Someone is feeling overwhelmed and decides to take a short walk. What type of coping strategy are they using?
A behavioral or physical coping strategy.
Is feeling stressed an internal or external trigger?
Internal trigger, because stress is an emotional experience.
True or false: Having a craving means someone has failed at recovery.
False. Cravings can occur in recovery and do not mean someone has failed.
Name one emotional warning sign someone might experience in recovery.
Examples include irritability, anxiety, hopelessness, or increased anger.
A person feels a strong craving at a party. Name two coping strategies they could use.
Examples: leave the situation, contact a support person, use grounding, or practice refusal skills.
A person drives past a bar where they used to drink and experiences a craving. What type of trigger is this?
An external or environmental trigger.
True or false: CBT helps people recognize connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
True. CBT helps identify and modify unhelpful patterns.
What is the difference between a trigger and a warning sign?
A trigger is a cue or situation associated with substance use; a warning sign is a change in thoughts, emotions, or behavior that may indicate increased vulnerability.
Explain one coping skill that you personally use in your recovery process.
Personal experience
Someone experiences a craving after an argument with their partner. Identify a possible external trigger and internal trigger.
External: the argument. Internal: anger, sadness, anxiety, or stress arising from it.
True or false: A coping skill that works for one person will always work for everyone.
False. Coping strategies are individualized and may need to be adapted.
A person says, 'I don't need meetings anymore. I can handle being around substances because I'm doing fine.' Identify two possible warning signs.
Overconfidence or minimizing risk, and withdrawing from recovery supports.
What is a coping skill that you do not currently use that you would like to implement this next week?
ANYTHING
A person feels lonely after work and passes a familiar place where they used to buy substances. Identify two triggers and explain why recognizing both is helpful.
Loneliness is an internal trigger; the location is an external trigger. Recognizing both helps the person plan a coping response.
True or false: Experiencing warning signs means a relapse is inevitable.
False. Warning signs indicate possible increased vulnerability, not certainty; early support can help.