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Theme 3 :Helping Clients Understand & Deal with

Alcohol or Drug Cues As Well As

Cravings

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What is a Cue?

Conditional psychological or

environmental stimuli associated with

drug abuse experiences that can

trigger the desire, cravings or urges

to consume drug or alcohol

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Examples of Cues

People, Places and Things

People

Drug using friends, lovers, family memberswho are high or getting high

Places

Bars, drug dens (ports), rave parties

Things

Drug injecting equipment (paraphernalia),scales, money, music

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Cues

Recovery persons will be

stimulated by cues that are

peculiar to them

e.g. for smokers, a cigarette

after food/meals, hanging

out with friends

Smoking ganja at rock

concert, having a drink in a

favorite bar

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What is an Urge?

Leaving or Avoiding

Talking ones self out of the urge

Going to an AA or NA meeting

Urge surfing

Calling a supportive person

Strategies to

Stop an Urge

A sudden impulse to engage in an act such as

alcohol or drug consumption

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Strategies to Counter Exposure to Cravings

Behavioral

Affective Cognitive

Learn PPT,

Cues &

Develop

strategies

A subjective desire to experience the effects or

consequences of drinking or getting high

Leave the situation

Carry memo cardsCall a friend to talk

Ride the wave

Reframing

This too shall pass

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Theme 4 :

Helping Clients Understandand Deal with Social Pressure

To Use Drugs or Alcohol