Triggers
What is a trigger?
Anything that increase the urge to use, including people, places, emotions, or situations?
What brain chemical is often associated with reward and pleasure?
Dopamine?
What cognitive distortion is present in the statement:
"I've been sober for a year, so I can probably control it now."
Rationalization or overconfidence.
Why is support important in recovery?
Recovery is harder in isolation
Name one healthy coping skill that addresses emotions rather than distracts from them.
Therapy, journaling, going outside, call sponsor
Name three emotional triggers.
Anger, isolation, anxiety, depression, sadness?
True or False:
Addiction changes how the brain responds to rewards.
True
According to relapse prevention theory, relapse often begins before substance use occurs. What are the earliest signs?
Emotional and mental relapse warning signs.
Who are three people you could call when struggling?
Name your own 3 people...
What is the difference between sobriety and recovery?
Sobriety is abstinence; recovery involves lifestyle, emotional, and behavioral change.
What is the difference between an internal trigger and external trigger?
Internal triggers are thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations. External triggers come from people, places, or situations?
What is tolerance?
Needing more of a substance to achieve the same effect.
What is the "Abstinence Violation Effect"?
The belief that one slip means total failure, which increases the likelihood of continued use.
What is accountability?
Taking responsibility and allowing others to support your recovery.
Why is isolation considered a significant relapse risk?
It reduces accountability, support, and emotional processing.
Which trigger is often overlooked but frequently leads to relapse?
Boredom, overconfidence, isolation?
What is withdrawal?
Physical and emotional symptoms that occur when reducing or stopping substance use.
Why can overconfidence become a relapse risk?
Individuals may stop using supports, meetings, coping skills, or accountability.
What makes someone a healthy support person?
Honest, trustworthy, encouraging, respects boundaries, sober.
How can unresolved trauma contribute to relapse risk?
Trauma symptoms may increase emotional distress, triggers, and urges to self-medicate.
Give a real-life trigger and explain how you could cope with it.
What is....... Use a personal story.
Why can recovery take time even after substance use stops?
The brain needs time to heal and re-establish healthy functioning.
What thinking error occurs when someone believes:
"Nobody understands me."
All-or-nothing thinking, isolation thinking, or mental filtering.
Describe a time support helped you through a difficult situation.
What are five protective factors that reduce relapse risk?
Stable housing, employment, recovery meetings, therapy, emotional regulation, support system