Handling Triggers
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
— Jon Kabat-Zinn
STAYING STEADY IN REAL LIFE
In the first days of recovery, honesty, hope, courage, and connection have carried you forward. Now the daily reality sets in. Cravings, stress, or old habits may try to pull you back. This means you're right where you're supposed to be. The key is learning to recognize your triggers and having simple tools ready to use when they show up.
DID YOU KNOW?
Urges and cravings typically peak at around 15–20 minutes—then fade if you ride them out. People who learn “urge surfing” (waiting and distracting themselves until the craving passes) are significantly more likely to avoid relapse.
Practical Exercise
Make a short “Trigger Plan” today:
List one trigger
List one common trigger you’ve noticed this week (stress, a place, a feeling).
Write a health response
Write one healthy response you can use when it hits (call a friend, step outside, open the app).
Find an affirmation
Find yourself an affirmation and carry it with you, like "this too shall pass."
