Recovery Vocabulary
A single use of a substance without returning to full patterns of use
"Slip"
Which stage of relapse involves poor self-care and bottling emotions?
Emotional relapse
Define HALT
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired
Anything that sparks a craving or urge to use
Trigger
What does “playing the tape through” mean?
Thinking through the full consequences of using before acting
Living free from alcohol or drugs
"Sobriety"
Which stage of relapse involves fantasizing about using or bargaining?
Mental relapse
An activity that takes your mind off cravings or distress
Healthy distraction
A trigger that comes from thoughts or emotions
Internal trigger
"People, places, and things in recovery"
External triggers linked to substance abuse
A written strategy with triggers, warning signs, coping skills, and supports
Relapse prevention plan
Which stage of relapse involves actual substance use?
Physical relapse
A method to bring attention to the present moment
Grounding technique
A trigger that comes from people, places, or things
External trigger
Something that lowers relapse risk (support, coping skills, etc.)
Lingering psychological/emotional withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.
PAWS (Post-acute withdrawal syndrome)
Riding out a craving until it passes without acting on it
Urge surfing
Comforting yourself in healthy ways
A powerful urge or desire to use substances
Craving
What does the term pink cloud mean?
A temporary period of extreme happiness/optimism early in recovery
Replacing one addiction with another substance or behavior
"Cross-addiction"
A thought, feeling, or behavior that signals increased risk of relapse
Warning sign
Paying attention to the present moment without judgment
Mindfulness
Encountering things that remind you of using and spark cravings
Cue exposure
Becoming overconfident, careless, or neglecting recovery tools
"Complacency"