Triggers and cravings
Name one internal trigger.
Stress, anger, boredom, loneliness, anxiety, sadness.
Difference between a slip and a relapse?
Slip = brief use with quick return to recovery
Relapse = return to ongoing use
Name one coping skill you can do alone.
Deep breathing, journaling, walking, music, grounding
Name one healthy support person.
Sponsor, counselor, sober friend, family member
Name one reason people choose recovery.
Health, family, freedom, legal issues, finances, self respect
Name one external trigger.
People who use, places of use, money, paydays, celebrations, conflict
Name one early warning sign of relapse.
Skipping meetings, isolating, lying, mood changes, overconfidence
When overwhelmed, what’s one healthy way to cope?
Take a break
Grounding exercise
Call someon
One sign of unhealthy support?
Encourages use, minimizes recovery, pressures boundaries
True or False: Motivation stays the same every day.
False motivation fluctuates
What’s one thing you can do in the first 5 minutes of a craving?
Call/text a support person
Urge surfing
Leave the situation
Distract (walk, shower, music)
Deep breathing
What does “play the tape through” mean?
Thinking through short and long term consequences before acting
Demonstrate a refusal skill in one sentence.
“No thanks, I’m in recovery.”
“I’m not doing that anymore.”
Finish: A boundary is…
A clear limit that protects recovery
What helps you stay motivated when recovery feels hard?
Remembering consequences
Thinking about goals
Support people
Gratitude
Describe a high risk situation and one skill you’d use.
High risk: Being alone after work
Skill: Go to a meeting or call a sponsor
After a slip, name two recovery actions.
Tell counselor/support
Increase meetings
Remove substances
Review relapse plan
Angry, bored, and triggered name 3 skills.
Walk + call support + distraction
Give a boundary statement.
“I can’t hang out if drugs are around.”
Name one short term recovery goal and one step toward it.
Goal: Stay sober this week
Step: Attend 3 meetings
Create a personal craving plan
Call support + play the tape through
Urge surf + change environment
Build a one day relapse prevention plan.
Structured schedule
Support contact
Coping skills
Avoid triggers
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Role-play responding to pressure to use.
Clear refusal
Exit plan or boundary
Describe what your life could look like in 6 months if you stay in recovery
Realistic
Recovery focused
Mentions behavior change (not just feelings)