Are You Listening?
What’s one example of an “external” trigger?
Examples: a person, place, or thing, a smell, a phone call, a song
What stage comes before Action?
Preparation
What’s one way you’re showing up better in relationships?
Listening, being honest, not disappearing, speaking up
You’re feeling bored and annoyed and want to use. What would you do?
Any healthy alternative works
Tell us a clean joke — any joke.
Anything counts
What’s one example of an “internal” trigger?
Examples: anger, shame, hunger, pain, boredom, stress, loneliness
Someone says, “I know I need to quit, but I’m not ready yet.” What stage is that?
Contemplation
What’s an old survival habit you’re trying to let go of?
Staying guarded, pushing people away, shutting down, doing everything alone
You run into an old using buddy, and they want to hang out. What would you do?
Say no / walk away / set a boundary
If you could instantly learn one skill or talent, what would you pick and why?
Any dream skill counts
Triggers happen whether you want them to or not. While you can’t change the trigger, you can change …?
Your reaction / behavior / response / coping tool
Someone has stopped using and is trying new habits, but everything still feels new and unsteady. Which stage is this?
Action
What’s a habit you’re trying to break that has nothing to do with drugs or alcohol?
Examples: shutting down, interrupting, isolating, doomscrolling
You feel like isolating, but you know that’s risky for you. What would you do?
Reach out / get around people / check in with someone
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you want to go and why?
Any answer works
We used the stress bucket analogy to show how pressure builds up over time. What’s one way to drain it before it overflows?
Coping strategies: sleep, movement, support, time alone, boundaries, etc.
Someone has been sober for awhile, but they’ve dropped their routines and started isolating again. What stage are they slipping out of?
Maintenance
What do you wish more people knew about you?
Any honest answer earns full points
Someone disrespects you and you are furious. What would you do?
Step back / cool off / respond without escalating
Name two celebrities who are sober.
Examples: Robert Downey Jr., Eminem, Bradley Cooper, Demi Lovato, Dax Shepard, Macklemore, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, Andre 3000, Hopsin, Tyler the Creator, Lecrae
Pavlov studied dogs to see how the brain connects a trigger with a response. What was the trigger that made the dogs start drooling without any food?
A bell
Someone insists they don’t have a problem. They’re only here because someone else made them. What stage is this?
Precontemplation
Give every man in this room a genuine compliment.
Any sincere compliment earns full points
Your friend tells you, “One drink won’t hurt.” What would you say?
Any firm, honest refusal
Spell “methamphetamine.”
M-E-T-H-A-M-P-H-E-T-A-M-I-N-E