Urge surfing is a technique for managing your unwanted behaviors. Rather than giving in to an urge, you will ride it out, like a surfer riding a wave. After a short time, the urge will pass on its own. This technique can be used to stop or reduce drug and alcohol use, emotional reactions such as “blowing up” when angry, gambling, and other unwanted behaviors.
How to Practice Urge Surfing
1. Acknowledge you are having an urge.
2. Notice your thoughts and feelings without trying to change or suppress them.
Note: It is normal to feel some discomfort during an urge.
3. Remind yourself…
It is okay to have urges. They are natural reactions to addictions and habits.
Some discomfort is okay. I don’t have to change it.
An urge is a feeling, not a “must.” I can have this feeling and choose not to act. An urge is temporary. Like any other feeling, it will pass on its own.
Other Skills
Managing Triggers
Use coping skills to reduce the power of triggers.
Know your triggers ahead of time, and have a strategy or skill prepared for each one.
Examples: deep breathing if stressed, eating if
hungry, leaving a location if it is high risk
Delay & Distraction
Do something to take your mind off the urge. Every minute you delay increases the
chance of the urge weakening on its own.
Examples: go for a walk, listen to music,
call a friend, read a book, practice a hobby
INTENSITY OF URGE
TIME
TRIGGER: An urge is triggered by a person, place, thought, feeling, or something else.
RISE: The urge becomes more intense. This may happen gradually or very
suddenly.
PEAK: The urge reaches its most intense point. It may feel as if the urge will never go away.
FALL: The urge loses intensity and eventually fades away.
Also don't forget St. Anthony's Breatplate! “Anything that obscures my true self, will be removed.” Then the question becomes; does alcohol obscure your true self????
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