DBT
TRIGGERS
RELAPSE PREVENTION
GRIEF AND TRAUMA
COPING SKILLS
100

When should distress tolerance skills be used?

During crisis/high distress.

100

Something that increases the urge to use?

Trigger

100

Relapse often starts before substance use.

True.

100

Grief only happens after death.

False. Grief can occur after any significant loss (relationships, health, jobs, sobriety, identity, etc.).

100

Name one person you could reach out to when you're struggling.  

Therapist, sponsor, friend, family member, pastor, peer, etc.

200

Radical Acceptance means approving of what happened.

False

200

True or False: Avoiding all triggers forever is realistic.

False

200

Name one early warning sign that someone may be at risk for relapse.

Isolating, missing meetings, increased stress, dishonesty, romanticizing past use, poor self-care, stopping medication, etc.

200

Self-compassion means...

Treating yourself with kindness.

200

When you're angry, what's one healthy coping skill that doesn't involve taking it out on someone else?

Walking away, deep breathing, exercise, journaling, talking to a trusted person, etc.

300

The "A" in ACCEPTS stands for...

Activities.

300

What are the triggers HALT stands for?

Hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.

300

Why is having a relapse prevention plan important?

It helps you recognize warning signs, prepare coping strategies, and know who to contact before a lapse turns into a relapse.

300

Name one healthy way to cope with grief.

Talking to someone, journaling, prayer, exercise, support groups, creating a memory, etc.

300

Name three habits that build emotional resilience.

Sleep, exercise, healthy eating, therapy, meetings, prayer, hobbies, social support, etc.

400

If fear tells you to avoid something safe, what DBT skill might help?

Opposite Action

400

Give two healthy ways to cope with a trigger.

Call sponsor, leave situation, deep breathing, meeting, journal, etc.

400

What does it mean to "play the tape through"?

Thinking beyond the immediate urge and considering the long-term consequences of using.

400

What emotion besides sadness can grief cause?

Anger, guilt, relief, numbness, anxiety, confusion, loneliness, etc.

400

Name one grounding technique: 

  • 5-4-3-2-1 grounding (identify 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste)
  • Deep breathing (such as box breathing or diaphragmatic breathing)
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Holding a grounding object (stress ball, smooth stone, fidget)
  • Splashing cold water on your face
  • Naming objects in the room
  • Counting backward from 100 by 7s or 3s
  • Feeling your feet on the floor and noticing physical sensations
  • Mindfully describing your surroundings using your senses
  • Listening to calming sounds and focusing on them
  • Using a calming scent (peppermint, lavender, etc.)
  • Repeating a coping statement or affirmation, such as "I am safe right now."
  • Mindful walking, paying attention to each step
  • Stretching while focusing on your breathing and body sensations
500

Wise Mind is a balance between...

Emotion Mind and Reasonable Mind.

500

You're arguing with a loved one and start thinking, "One drink would calm me down." What could you do before acting on that thought?

Any healthy coping strategy.

500

Why is honesty considered one of the most important relapse prevention skills?

It helps people seek support before a situation worsens.

500

Name one myth about grief.

"You should be over it," "Crying means you're weak," "Grief has five neat stages," etc.

500

Why do healthy coping skills sometimes feel harder than unhealthy ones?

They take practice, don't provide immediate relief, require effort, etc.