Coping Skills
What is a coping skill that can help reduce anxiety in the moment?
Deep breathing, grounding, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation.
What is a trigger?
Anything that causes uncomfortable emotions, cravings, urges, or unhealthy behaviors.
What does mental health refer to?
Emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
What is relapse prevention?
Strategies used to avoid returning to unhealthy behaviors or substance use.
What is one characteristic of a healthy relationship?
Trust, honesty, respect, communication, support.
Name one healthy coping skill that does not involve using substances.
Exercise, journaling, talking to a support person, meditation, art, music, or walking.
Are triggers always people or places?
No. Thoughts, feelings, memories, smells, music, and situations can also be triggers.
Name one symptom of anxiety.
Racing thoughts, excessive worry, restlessness, rapid heartbeat.
Name one warning sign of relapse.
Isolation, increased stress, dishonesty, cravings, skipping support meetings.
What is a boundary?
A limit that protects your emotional, mental, or physical well-being.
Why is it important to practice coping skills before a crisis happens?
It helps make the skills easier to use when stress increases.
Name two common emotional triggers.
Anger, loneliness, stress, sadness, anxiety, guilt, boredom.
Name one symptom of depression.
Sadness, low motivation, isolation, hopelessness, fatigue.
Why is having a support system important?
Support provides accountability, encouragement, and assistance during difficult times.
Name one sign of an unhealthy relationship
Manipulation, disrespect, dishonesty, control, intimidation.
What coping skill helps you focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the future?
Mindfulness.
What is the first step when you recognize a trigger?
Acknowledge it and use healthy coping strategies.
True or False: Mental health struggles are a sign of weakness.
False.
What should you do if you notice relapse warning signs?
Reach out for support and use coping skills immediately.
Why are healthy relationships important in recovery?
They provide support, accountability, and emotional safety.
Describe a coping skill you have personally used that was effective.
Client-specific response.
Why is identifying triggers important in recovery?
It helps prevent relapse and improves emotional awareness.
How can untreated mental health symptoms impact recovery?
They can increase stress, cravings, relapse risk, and unhealthy coping behaviors.
What are three things that belong in a relapse prevention plan?
Triggers, coping skills, support people, emergency contacts, healthy activities.
What is the difference between being supportive and enabling?
Support encourages healthy choices. Enabling allows unhealthy behaviors to continue