Triggers & Cravings
What is a trigger?
Person, place, thing, situation, or emotion that creates the urge to use or act out.
Name one emotional coping skill.
A mental illness causing persistent sadness and loss of interest.
Depression
What is a relapse?
Returning to substances after a period of sobriety.
Daily activities that give structure to the day are called:
Routine
True or False: You can control every trigger you encounter.
False. You can't always control triggers, but you can control your response.
True or False: Coping skills are only used during a crisis.
False. Coping skills can be used daily to manage emotions, stay regulated, and prevent relapse.
What is one sign your mental health is declining?
Changes in sleep, mood, appetite, loss of interest, increased anxiety, isolating
Name one early warning sign of a relapse.
Isolating, skipping meetings, not calling support system, mood changes, thinking about using
What is a personal boundary?
A limit you set to protect your well-being, values, and recovery.
Name two emotional triggers that could lead to a relapse?
Feeling rejected, lonely, ashamed, overwhelmed, angry, etc.
What is one coping skill you can use when you feel overwhelmed in a social setting?
Grounding techniques, deep breathing, positive self-talk, taking a break to step outside
Using substances to cope with mental health issues is called...?
Self-medicating
What is a relapse prevention plan?
A written plan that identifies triggers, warning signs, and coping strategies to stay sober.
What is one sign that you're neglecting self-care?
Feeling burned out, irritable, skipping meals, poor hygiene, isolating, etc.
What is HALT?
Hungry, angry, lonely, tired
Why is it important to have more than one coping skill?
Different situations require different coping mechanisms
What is it called when you have a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder?
Co-occurring disorders
What should you do if you feel at risk of relapse?
Reach out for support, hit a meeting, use coping skills, remove yourself from the situation, and follow relapse prevention plan.
What is the difference between self-soothing and self-care?
Cravings usually peak and pass within this amount of time if not acted on.
15-30 minutes
Explain the difference between distraction and avoidance as coping mechanisms.
Distraction is a short-term strategy to manage distress without harm; avoidance is avoiding the issue all together, which can delay healing or create more problems.
How can negative thinking patterns impact your mental health and behavior?
Increase anxiety, depression, stress, trauma related symptoms, and lead to unhealthy behaviors by reinforcing negative beliefs and emotions.
What are the three stages of relapse?
Emotional relapse, mental relapse, physical relapse
How can building a support system help long-term recovery?
Because it gives you connection, accountability, and stability—all things that addiction tends to take away.