Triggers & Cravings
A predictable external situation (people, places, or events) That can prompt urges to use.
What is a Trigger?
A quick breathing technique used to reduce acute anxiety: breathe in 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4.
What is box breathing (or 4-4-4 breathing)?
A common peer-support meeting type that often uses a 12- step approach.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA(, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Cocaine Anonymous (CA)(or CMA, CAGA, MA, HA...)?
Early sign: thoughts like "I can handle just one."
What is minimization or rationalization?
This medication class can reduce opioid cravings and block opioid effects.
What are opioid agonists or partial agonists ( e.g. methadone, buprenorphine)?
This type of trigger comes from inside -- thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations.
What is an Internal Trigger?
A CBT skill that helps identify and test thoughts that may lead to cravings or relapse.
What is cognitive restructuring or thought challenging?
The person you call for immediate support in recovery who often provides accountability.
What is a sponsor or support buddy (or trudging buddy)?
Behavioral warning sign: stops attending meetings or isolates from supports.
What is withdrawal from supports or social withdrawal?
For alcohol use disorder, this medication helps reduce cravings by blocking pleasurable effects.
What is naltrexone?
The strong physiological and psychological desire to use a substance after a cue.
What is craving?
In DBT, the skill set used to get through a crisis without making things worse (acronym TIPP)
What is distress tolerance (or Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing, Progressive muscle relaxation) ?
A community resource that can provide counseling, case management, and medication services.
What is outpatient treatment clinic or medication-assisted treatment program?
A prevention technique involving scheduling activities that reduce boredom and fill unstructured time.
What is activity scheduling or behavioral activation?
A common acute medical sign monitored in early stimulant withdrawal indicating cardiovascular risk.
What is elevated heart rate (tachycardia) or high blood pressure (hypertension)?
A planned action completed immediately when a trigger is noticed to reduce chance of use (e.g. call sponsor)
What is coping response or grounding strategy?
A structured techniques of listing pros and cons of substance use vs. sobriety to motivate change.
What is decisional balance (or playing the tape through)?
An evidence-based therapy that focuses on changing thinking and behaviors that maintain substance use.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT)?
A small initial return to old behavior (e.g. a single drink or pill) that may precede to full relapse.
What is a lapse (or slip)?
The medical term for difficulty sleeping, common during stimulant and other withdrawals.
What is insomnia?
Intentional exposure to a trigger in a controlled way to reduce its power over time.
What is exposure therapy or systematic desensitization?
A relapse-prevention strategy that identifies high-risk situations, coping responses, and support contacts.
What is a coping plan or relapse-prevention plan?
A formal written plan created as part of discharge listing supports, appointments, housing, and follo-up.
What is after-care plan or discharge-plan?
A comprehensive tool that identifies triggers, high-risk situations, coping strategies, and emergency contacts.
What is a relapse-prevention plan or safety plan?
The coordinated use of medication and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders.
What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT or integrated treatment?