Point 2
When to use this tool:
This tool can be used to help participants understand their urges by helping them track:
- The date and time the urge happened
- The intensity of the urge
- How long it lasted
- What triggered it
- Where/who they were with when it struck
- How they coped with it
- Alternative activities/substitute behaviors
An awareness and understanding of urges is crucial to recovery. One way to understand urges is by recording them. After a few entries, participants may notice patterns and similarities about their urges. The log then becomes a road map that will help them to anticipate situations and emotions that may trigger urges and plan ways to avoid recognized triggers or, distract themselves from the urge until it passes.
Helpful Links
- Public-Facing USA Toolbox Page: www.smartrecovery.org/urge-log
- Updated Tool PDF (03/2021): https://www.smartrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UL-109-updated.pdf
- Video Links:
- All About Urges: https://youtu.be/a9jfsAajFZM
