Cravings & Triggers
What is a trigger?
Anything that sparks thoughts, feelings, or urges to use substances.
What is one healthy coping skill you can use in the moment of a craving?
Deep breathing, calling a friend, journaling, going for a walk.
What is Step 1?
Admitting powerlessness over alcohol/drugs and that life has become unmanageable.
Finish this slogan: “One day at a ____.”
Time.
True or False: Relapse is always a part of recovery.
False. It is common, but not required.
Name one common internal trigger.
Stress, loneliness, anger, boredom, or sadness.
What does the acronym HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
Which Step involves making amends?
Step 9.
What slogan reminds us to slow down and not rush decisions?
“Easy Does It.”
Name one early warning sign of relapse.
Isolation, skipping meetings, romanticizing use, increased irritability.
True or False: Cravings usually last forever.
False. Most cravings pass within 15–30 minutes.
Name one mindfulness technique used in recovery.
Meditation, grounding (5-4-3-2-1), or urge surfing.
Which Step is about turning your will and life over to a Higher Power?
Step 3.
Which slogan emphasizes focusing on recovery instead of other people’s problems?
“Keep your side of the street clean.”
What’s the first thing you should do if you feel close to relapse?
Reach out for support (sponsor, peer, counselor).
What is a strategy you can use to “ride out” a craving instead of giving in to it?
Urge surfing (noticing the craving rise and fall without acting on it), grounding, or distraction until it passes.
How can exercise help with recovery?
Reduces stress, improves mood, and releases natural endorphins.
What is the purpose of Step 4?
To make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
“This too shall ____.”
Pass.
What is one healthy way to handle romanticizing past use when it comes up in your mind?
Challenge the thought by remembering the negative consequences, talk it out with a sponsor or peer, or replace it with gratitude for sobriety.
What brain chemical is often linked to craving and reward?
Dopamine.
What is “opposite action” in DBT?
Choosing the opposite behavior of the unhelpful urge (example: calling a sponsor instead of isolating).
Step 12 talks about having a spiritual awakening and carrying the message. What does this mean in practice?
Helping others, being of service, and living the principles of recovery daily.
What does “Progress, not perfection” mean in recovery?
It’s about growth and effort, not being flawless.
What is the difference between a slip and a relapse?
A slip is a single use or mistake with immediate return to recovery; relapse is a return to old patterns of use.