Triggers & Cravings
What is a trigger?
Someone invites you to a party that has drugs and alcohol. What would you do?
What is a saying that gets you through the day?
I can do this, it' only temporary, my addiction doesn't define me, I have come so far, I love who I'm becoming, etc.
Most common addiction across the nation...
As of 2020, 79.5% of Americans abuse alcohol
Name one common sign that someone is under the influence of drugs
What is slurred speech / confusion / red eyes / poor balance, etc.
What are three examples of internal triggers?
Anger, Sadness, Happiness, Boredom, Loneliness, Stress, Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Memories, Fatigue
You keep receiving texts and calls from an old drug dealer. What would you do?
Block the phone number, tell them that you no longer use, get a new phone and number, etc.
How can you celebrate things without drugs?
Going out to eat, buying new clothes, going to a sporting event, going bowling, going to the zoo, etc.
Stress disorder AFTER traumatic event...
PTSD
Name one way drugs can damage the brain.
What is memory loss / poor decision-making / increased mood swings?
What are three examples of external triggers?
People, Places, Things, Celebrations, Specific Neighborhoods & Locations, Phone Contacts, Social Events, Smell, Paraphernalia, Peer Pressure, Advertisements
You walk out of a gas station and see someone you used to buy/sell drugs from and they approach you. What would you do?
Keep walking, say hi and keep going, say "I have to get going", tell them you don't use, etc.
What makes you want to be sober?
I feel healthier, other people like me more, I save money, I can do things that I gave up, etc.
Most addictive substance
Sugar
What organ does alcohol and drugs directly affect the most?
What is the brain
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
You get injured and the doctors try to give you pain killers (Oxys) to help with the pain. However, you're in recovery due to misusing pain killers. What would you do?
Tell them, "I'll stick with Tylenol and ibuprofen." Ask, "I'm in recovery. Is there anything else I can take?"
What advice would you give to yourself now?
Keep staying sober, my past doesn't define me, keep grinding in therapy, make amends with people, etc.
Something greater than themselves in recovery.
A higher power
True or False: A relapse means you failed.
What is False? (It’s a chance to learn and keep going.)
What did you do the last time you had craving? What advice would you give someone on how to deal with cravings?
Find something to do that gets your mind off the drug you're craving, talk to a trusted friend or family member, deep breathing, prayer/meditation, etc.
You're at a family celebration and your partner/spouse says "we should make a toast!" They no you're sober and say it's "RUDE" not to drink. What would you do?
Remind them that you don't drink anymore, leave the celebration and come back later, call your sponsor, remind them of the old you, etc.
In what ways did you hurt the people you love?
physical/mentally abusive, unfulfilled promises, neglect, etc.
With continued substance abuse the brain will stop producing this brain chemical that enables pleasure..
Dopamine
Why does the brain want more of a drug once it’s been used a lot?
What is the brain gets used to it and wants more to feel the same? (tolerance)