Triggers & Cravings
What is a trigger?
Anything that causes cravings or urges to use.
What is an all-or-nothing thought?
Seeing things in extremes, like "I relapsed, so I’ve completely failed."
What is Step One?
"We admitted we were powerless or Alcohol over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable."
What is HALT?
A tool to check if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
What is the "Personal Weather Report" check-in?
Describing your emotional state as a type of weather.
Name an internal trigger.
Emotions like stress, anger, or boredom.
What is catastrophizing?
Assuming the worst possible outcome will happen
What does it mean to be powerless over addiction?
We cannot control our use once we start, and addiction takes over our choices.
A person who is a guide through your recovery.
Sponsor
How can mindfulness help with emotions?
It allows you to observe emotions without reacting impulsively.
Name an external trigger.
People, places, objects, or situations associated with substance use.
What is personalization?
Believing everything is your fault, even when it’s not.
What does unmanageability look like in addiction?
Lost relationships, legal trouble, financial issues, mental health struggles, etc.
Name a coping skill to avoid relapse
Call a sponsor or addict in recovery, See a therapist, Go to a meeting, Pray, Meditation... ect
What is emotional regulation?
The ability to manage and respond to emotions in a healthy way.
How long does a craving typically last?
About 20–30 minutes.
Give an example of mental filtering
Only focusing on the negative and ignoring the positives in a situation.
Why is Step One the foundation of recovery?
Without admitting powerlessness, we can’t begin the process of change.
What is "playing the tape forward"?
Visualizing the consequences of using before making a choice.
What is the difference between a reaction and a response?
A reaction is impulsive; a response is thoughtful and intentional.
What is a healthy way to cope with a craving?
Deep breathing, distraction, talking to a support person, or playing the tape forward.
What is the best way to challenge a negative thought?
Identify the distortion, find evidence against it, and replace it with a balanced thought.
Who wrote Step 1?
Bill Wilson
You should wait at least 1 ______ to get into a romantic relationship.
year
How can journaling help with emotional processing?
It helps organize thoughts and release emotions in a healthy way.