External Triggers
These are the people outside our family who we allow to get close to us: They can either lift you up or lead you into trouble, depending on who you choose to associate with.
Friends
A powerful yet very common emotion that can mask hurt feelings, fuel aggression, trigger relapse, or motivate change—depending on how we manage it
Anger
This avoidant behavior might seem easier at first, but it’s actually a warning sign that someone is pulling away from support
Isolation/Isolating
A technique that involves consciously slowing and deepening one's breath, primarily using the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to draw air into the lungs
Deep breathing
Oops she did it again: This pop star faced highly public struggles with bipolar disorder and substance use in the 2000s, including multiple rehab stays and a court-ordered conservatorship.
Brittany Spears
This useful device almost everyone has can be a quick way to contact a positive support, but make sure to remove drug dealers, back stabbers, and drama starters from it if you want to stay on a positive path –
Cell Phone
This triggering and often sad emotion is closely associated with losing someone or something or the anniversary of the loss
Grief
People often make these up in their own minds to sound like explanations or reasons, but they’re really just empty ways to avoid the truth or dodge responsibility
Excuses
While how we speak to others matters, but changing for the better often depends on learning to speak more positively to this special person— the one we’re always around
Self/Ourselves (positive self talk)
This Detroit born hip hop icon nearly died of overdose in 2007 after a long struggle with addiction. Has since maintained sobriety (as of 2008) but has spoken about relapsing prior to that point.
Eminem
These special days that come up several times per year are often associated with family traditions and parties which can be challenging to deal with especially early in recovery
Anniversaries/Holidays
This can be experienced physically in our body or emotionally in our mind, and in either case, it can trigger the urge to self-medicate as a way to escape
Pain
This common but avoidable state of mind often creeps in when there’s nothing to do, and can lead people to chase excitement or relief in unhealthy ways, especially during early recovery
Boredom
Whether you call it mindfulness or insight, this ability to look inward with honesty helps us understand who we really are—and stay aligned with our goals, motives, and values.
Self-awareness
This six-time grammy winning vocalist sold over 200 million records but had intermittent periods of sobriety and struggled with relapse for many years until she was sadly found dead in her bathtub with drugs in her system in 2012
Whitney Houston
We need this to survive in this world and almost everyone wants more of it, but when you get a lot of it at once it can this be a huge trigger
Money
A negative and critical inner voice fueled by past trauma, stigma, or unmet expectations often speaks through this toxic emotion.
Shame
This common behavior often begins with small lies or half-truths to avoid consequences in the moment—but over time, it can damage trust, hurt relationships, and prevent personal progress especially when the truth eventually comes out.
Dishonesty
Coping with substance use and mental health challenges is never about perfection—what truly matters is striving for a little more of this positive change each day
Progress
This actor and movie star was once on one of the biggest shows in TV, making almost 2 million per episode until he was fired due to his drug use and erratic behavior in 2011 and then later eventually contracted HIV due to his risky lifestyle
Charlie Sheen
Common objects a person associates with substance use that can be triggering such as straws, razors, spoons, pipes
Paraphernalia
This dangerous mindset makes people believe they’re past the danger, ignoring warning signs and thinking they’ve got it all under control— even when they don’t
Overconfidence
This risky pattern of behavior bypasses thinking, planning, and self-control—leading straight into action, often followed by consequences like regret, setbacks, trouble, or relapse
Impulsivity/Impulsiveness
When emotions start to spiral or anxiety takes over, this coping skill helps bring us back to the present moment by using our senses or focusing on what’s around us or even what is directly beneath our feet
Grounding
By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture. Passed away on August 16, 1977 at 42 years of age in his Graceland home.
Elvis Presley