Spot the Trigger
What is a substance-use trigger?
A. A reminder, feeling, or situation that can bring an urge to use
B. A guarantee that someone will use
C. Only an argument
D. A rule everyone has to follow
A. A reminder, feeling, or situation that can bring an urge to use
Triggers can come from inside you or from your surroundings. Learning your triggers helps you plan a response.
Your jaw tightens and your fists clench during an argument. What could these be?
A. Proof you have to fight
B. Early signs that you are getting worked up
C. Proof the other person is wrong
D. A reason to ignore your body
B. Early signs that you are getting worked up
Body clues can help you notice stress early. A pause and staff support can give you more choices.
Which is an approved coping option you can try on the unit?
A. Leave the unit without telling anyone
B. Keep upsetting yourself with the same thoughts
C. Ask staff to help you choose a calming activity
D. Hide so staff cannot find you
C. Ask staff to help you choose a calming activity
Approved activities and staff support give you a safer way to handle the moment. Follow your unit’s rules.
A peer asks you to tell detailed stories about past use. Which response sets a clear boundary?
A. “Sure, let’s compare everything.”
B. “I’m working on recovery. Let’s talk about something else.”
C. “I’ll do it if you keep it secret.”
D. “I have to answer so you like me.”
B. “I’m working on recovery. Let’s talk about something else.”
A short boundary protects your recovery. You can ask staff for support if the conversation continues.
You feel bored during approved free time. What is a useful first move?
A. Wait for a craving before doing anything
B. Disrupt the group for excitement
C. Ask someone for detailed stories about using
D. Choose an available activity such as drawing, reading, or a staff-approved game
D. Choose an available activity such as drawing, reading, or a staff-approved game
A planned activity gives free time some structure. Choose something permitted and realistic on your unit.
Which is an internal Trigger?
A. A place linked to past use
B. A conversation about Substances
C. Feeling lonely after a family call
D. Seeing a person linked to past use
C. Feeling lonely after a family call
An internal trigger is a feeling, thought, or body sensation. Loneliness is one possible example.
HALT is a reminder to check which needs or feelings?
A. Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
B. Happy, Active, Loud, Tough
C. Hopeful, Alert, Lucky, Talented
D. Healthy, Able, Learning, Trying
A. Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
HALT is a quick check-in. Meeting a need, such as eating at the approved time or asking for connection, can support your next step.
You want to try grounding. Which action fits?
A. Replay the argument in detail
B. Keep your eyes open and name five things you can see
C. Tell yourself you must feel nothing
D. Focus only on what might go wrong
B. Keep your eyes open and name five things you can see
Grounding brings attention to the present. You can start by noticing ordinary objects around you.
A peer says, “Asking staff for help makes you weak.” Which response best supports your goal?
A. Stop asking for support
B. Prove yourself by taking a risk
C. Insult the peer
D. “Getting help is part of my plan. I’m checking in.”
D. “Getting help is part of my plan. I’m checking in.”
You can act on your recovery plan even when someone disagrees. Asking for help is a useful recovery skill.
Which “if–then” plan is most specific?
A. If I feel an urge after a call, then I will tell staff and ask for a check-in
B. If life is hard, then I will be better
C. If I am stressed, then something will work
D. If I have an urge, then I will never feel it again
A. If I feel an urge after a call, then I will tell staff and ask for a check-in
A useful plan names a cue and an action you can take. It should fit your treatment plan and available support.
Peers start describing past substance use, and you notice an urge. What is the external trigger?
A. Your wish to recover
B. The conversation you are hearing
C. Your breathing
D. Your treatment goal
B. The conversation you are hearing
The conversation is something in your surroundings. You can ask to change the topic or get staff support to move to an approved space.
After a tough call, you say, “I’m fine,” but pace and snap at people. What is the best next step?
A. Wait until someone guesses what is wrong
B. Argue so people leave you alone
C. Skip every group
D. Name what you notice and ask staff for a check-in
D. Name what you notice and ask staff for a check-in
You do not need the perfect emotion word. “I’m worked up after that call” gives staff something useful to respond to.
An urge shows up during free time. Which plan best uses delay and distraction?
A. Wait alone until it gets worse
B. Decide now that you will use later
C. Keep checking reminders of past use
D. Tell staff, do an approved activity for 10 minutes, then check in again
D. Tell staff, do an approved activity for 10 minutes, then check in again
A brief activity can create space before a decision. Ten minutes is a check-in point, not a promise that an urge will end.
You want to share coping ideas with a roommate. Which approach is most respectful?
A. Ask if they want ideas and respect their answer
B. Tell them your skill must work for everyone
C. Demand details about their history
D. Promise to keep every safety concern secret
A. Ask if they want ideas and respect their answer
People have different needs and preferences. Offer support without pressure, and involve staff when safety is a concern.
You want a coping plan for a hard day. Which plan has the best backup?
A. Use one skill and give up if it fails
B. Wait until bedtime to mention strong urges
C. Try grounding, ask staff for support, and choose another approved skill if needed
D. Expect yourself to handle every urge alone
C. Try grounding, ask staff for support, and choose another approved skill if needed
A backup plan gives you another step when the first skill is not enough. Support belongs in the plan.
A visit gets canceled. You think, “Nobody cares,” feel upset, and want to use. Which answer best identifies the chain?
A. The urge caused the canceled visit
B. Only the thought matters
C. Feeling upset means using is unavoidable
D. Canceled visit, painful thought, upset feeling, urge
D. Canceled visit, painful thought, upset feeling, urge
An event can connect with thoughts, feelings, and an urge. You can use support or a coping skill at several points in that chain.
You rate an urge at 7 out of 10. What is the most useful reason to rate it again after a coping skill?
A. To prove your recovery is perfect
B. To compare yourself with other residents
C. To notice change and decide whether you need more support
D. To earn a privilege automatically
C. To notice change and decide whether you need more support
A rating helps track your own experience. If the urge stays strong, try another approved skill with staff support.
What does “urge surfing” mean?
A. Notice an urge rise and change while choosing not to act on it
B. Force an urge to disappear immediately
C. Keep testing yourself around risky situations
D. Pretend you never have urges
A. Notice an urge rise and change while choosing not to act on it
You can observe an urge like a changing wave and use support while it is there. Urges vary in length and intensity.
A disagreement is heating up. Which response best reduces immediate risk?
A. Stand closer and raise your voice
B. Send another peer to confront them
C. Pause the conversation and request staff help with an approved break
D. Keep arguing until someone wins
C. Pause the conversation and request staff help with an approved break
Pausing with staff support gives everyone space. Follow unit procedures about breaks and where you may go.
You feel close to acting on an urge and worry you cannot stay safe. What should come first?
A. Keep playing so your team can win
B. Tell staff immediately and follow the unit’s safety procedures
C. Wait until the next scheduled group
D. Promise yourself you will mention it tomorrow
B. Tell staff immediately and follow the unit’s safety procedures
Immediate staff support comes before the game. Staff can assess what you need and follow facility procedures.
You feel excited about going home and think, “I can handle anything.” What is the best lesson?
A. Only sadness can be a trigger
B. Feeling confident removes all risk
C. Positive feelings can also be linked to risk, so keep your plan
D. Avoid every celebration forever
C. Positive feelings can also be linked to risk, so keep your plan
Excitement or overconfidence can be a cue to check your plan. Enjoying something and staying prepared can go together.
You feel ashamed for having a craving. Which thought best supports recovery?
A. This urge is information. I can tell someone and choose my next step
B. Having an urge means all progress is gone
C. I must keep it secret to look strong
D. I should leave treatment because I had an urge
A. This urge is information. I can tell someone and choose my next step
An urge does not erase your effort. Sharing it with your treatment team can help you respond early.
You try gentle breathing, but feel more uncomfortable. What is the best next move?
A. Hold your breath until it works
B. Keep going even if you feel worse
C. Stop, tell staff, and try another skill such as grounding
D. Decide that no coping skill can help
C. Stop, tell staff, and try another skill such as grounding
A coping skill should fit your needs. Staff can help you switch approaches when a skill feels uncomfortable or is not helping.
During an approved call, an old friend pressures you to use after discharge. What is the strongest plan?
A. Agree now and worry later
B. Say no, end the pressure, and review contact boundaries with your counselor
C. Keep it secret so visits are unaffected
D. Rely only on willpower when you get home
B. Say no, end the pressure, and review contact boundaries with your counselor
A clear refusal plus a plan for future contact gives you support beyond that one call. Your counselor can help plan boundaries.
After returning to substance use, which response best supports the next step in recovery?
A. Hide it to protect your image
B. Assume treatment cannot help
C. Handle any health concerns alone
D. Tell your treatment team promptly, address safety, and review your plan
D. Tell your treatment team promptly, address safety, and review your plan
Returning to use calls for support and a review of what happened. Your treatment team can address health concerns and strengthen the plan.