Triggers & Cravings
This term refers to anything that increases the urge to use
Trigger
Name one healthy activity that can reduce cravings
Running
Walking
Reading
Writing
This common warning sign involves thinking “I’m fine” and believing relapse could never happen again.
Denial
Therapist
Friend
Family Members
Staff Member
this type of thinking is "all or nothing"
Black and White thinking
Name 1 internal trigger that can lead to cravings
Negative Thoughts
Stress or anxiety
Boredom
This skill means distracting yourself until the urge passes.
Urge Surfing
Name one early warning sign that a relapse may occur.
Increased Stress
Greif and Loss
Significant changes in life
True or False:
Support only counts if it comes from someone in recovery.
False
“I already messed up, so I might as well keep using” is an example of this trap.
Black and white thinking
This trigger comes from feelings or thoughts rather than people or places.
Internal Trigger
Name two coping skills that can be used if a craving happens suddenly.
go for a walk
Remove self from situation
Talk to someone
In this stage, the person starts glamorizing past use and thinking about people, places, or things.
Mental Relapse
This recovery tools involves writing thoughts, feelings, or triggers down.
Journaling
This skill involves challenging unhelpful thoughts and replacing them.
Cognitive Restructuring (will also take "changing thought processes).
True or False: Cravings usually last forever if you don’t give in to them.
False
This skill involves planning ahead for high-risk situations.
Relapse Prevention Planning
Skipping meetings and isolating from others is what type of relapse?
Emotional Relapse
name two ways you can reach out to support when you are struggling.
Phone call
Attend a meeting
talk with staff
meet with therapist
Turn this thought into a recovery-focused one:
“I can’t handle stress without using.”
"I've handled much worse without using"
"I've gone this far without using, I can continue"
Seeing someone else use can trigger cravings because of this learned response.
Conditioning
Name one coping skill you could use in a high-risk situation and explain why it would help.
Going for a walk- Clears the mind, remove from immediate risks and triggers.
This stage occurs when a person actually returns to substance use or addictive behavior.
Physical Relapse
Calling, texting, or meeting with this person can help stop a relapse before it starts.
This mindset shift focuses on progress instead of perfection.
"Progress not perfection"