Triggers
This emotion can make cravings stronger when left unchecked.
What is STRESS?
💡 Recovery Fact: Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, increasing cortisol and making the brain more likely to seek quick relief. For someone in recovery, that can mean stronger cravings.
This coping skill involves making a list of people you can call when you’re struggling.
What is BUILDING A SUPPORT SYSTEM?
💡 Recovery Fact: Having names and phone numbers ready before a crisis makes it much more likely you’ll reach out when you need help.
Finish this saying: “Keep coming _____.”
What is BACK?
💡 Recovery Fact: Consistency matters. Whether it’s meetings, therapy, treatment, or support groups, showing up regularly strengthens recovery.
True or False: There are “good” emotions and “bad” emotions.
What is FALSE?
💡 Recovery Fact: All emotions serve a purpose. It’s our behaviors, not our emotions, that can become healthy or unhealthy.
True or False: Relapse begins long before someone uses again.
What is TRUE?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Relapse often starts with emotional and mental changes before physical substance use occurs. Recognizing early warning signs can help prevent it.
What does HALT stand for?
What is HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY, TIRED?
💡 Recovery Fact: HALT is a reminder that basic physical and emotional needs can make relapse more likely if they’re ignored. Meeting those needs early can reduce cravings before they grow.
This coping skill means treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend after making a mistake.
What is SELF COMPASSION??
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: People who practice self-compassion are more likely to learn from setbacks instead of giving up after them.
Finish this saying: “Feel the feelings, don’t _____ them.”
What is FEED?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Avoiding emotions often makes them stronger. Learning to experience emotions safely is part of healing.
This skill involves recognizing, understanding, and managing your emotions in healthy ways.
What is EMOTIONAL REGULATION?
💡 Recovery Fact: Emotional regulation doesn’t mean suppressing feelings. It means experiencing them without letting them control your actions.
What does “playing the tape through” mean?
What is THINKING PAST THE IMMEDIATE URGE AND CONSIDERING THE FULL CONSEQUENCES OF USING?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: This strategy helps interrupt impulsive thinking by reminding you of the long-term outcomes instead of the short-term relief.
Seeing old friends you used to use with is an example of this.
What is a SOCIAL TRIGGER?
💡 Recovery Fact: The brain forms strong associations between people and substance use. Even if you don’t plan to use, seeing someone connected to past use can activate memories and cravings.
This coping skill asks you to focus only on what you can control instead of worrying about everything you can’t.
What is ACCEPTANCE??
💡 Recovery Fact: Accepting reality doesn’t mean approving of it. It means recognizing what’s happening so you can choose your next healthy step instead of reacting impulsively.
Finish this saying: “Feelings aren’t _____.”
What are FACTS?
💡Recovery Fact: Emotions are real, but they don’t always reflect reality. Learning to pause before reacting helps prevent impulsive decisions.
What emotion is commonly described as believing you’re a bad person rather than believing you made a bad choice?
What is SHAME?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Shame can keep people stuck in addiction because it often leads to secrecy and isolation. Self-compassion and connection are powerful ways to reduce shame and support recovery.
What is one thing you should do if you notice you’re struggling more than usual?
What is REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT?, TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST, CONTACT THE SPONSOR COUNSELOR, ATTEND A MEETING, OR USE HEALTHY COPING SKILLS.
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Asking for help early can prevent a difficult day from becoming a crisis.
A place, smell, or song connected to past substance use is called what?
What is an ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGER?
💡 Recovery Fact: Environmental cues can activate the brain’s reward pathways. Research shows that sights, sounds, smells, and places linked to past substance use can trigger cravings even after long periods of sobriety.
This coping skill uses movement to improve your mood and reduce cravings.
What is EXERCISE? (OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY)?
💡 Recovery Fact: Exercise releases endorphins, often called the body’s “feel-good” chemicals. It can improve mood, lower stress, and support long-term recovery.
Finish this saying: “Sobriety gives you what addiction _____ it would.
What is PROMISED?
đź’ˇRecovery Fact: Addiction promises relief, peace, and happiness, but often delivers the opposite. Recovery offers the chance to build those things in a lasting way.
This emotion can grow when we compare ourselves to others instead of focusing on our own progress.
What is JEALOUSY AND ENVY?
💡 Recovery Fact: Everyone’s recovery journey is different. Comparing yourself to others can distract you from celebrating your own growth.
What is one thing you can control every day in recovery?
What is YOUR CHOICE, ATTITUDE, ACTIONS, EFFORT, OR WILLINGNESS?
💡 Recovery Fact: You can’t control every situation, but you can control how you respond to it, and those daily choices add up over time.
True or False: Avoiding every trigger forever is realistic.
What is FALSE?
💡 Recovery Fact: Recovery isn’t about eliminating every trigger. It’s about learning to recognize them, prepare for them, and respond with healthy coping skills.
What coping skill involves making a list of activities to do when you’re struggling instead of using?
What is CREATING A RECOVERY PLAN?( OR RELAPSE PREVENTION PLAN)?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Having a plan before a craving happens makes it easier to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
Finish this saying: “Keep it _____.”
What is SIMPLE?
💡Recovery Fact: Recovery doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent actions are often more effective than trying to change everything at once.
True or False: Feeling a craving means you’ve failed in recovery.
What is FALSE?
💡 Recovery Fact: Cravings are a normal part of recovery for many people. Having a craving doesn’t define you. It’s how you respond to it that matters.
True or False: Recovery only means stopping substance use.
What is FALSE?
đź’ˇ Recovery Fact: Recovery often includes improving physical health, relationships, emotional well-being, finances, work, and overall quality of life.