Counteract Euphoric Recall And the Desire To Test Control
Two important risk factors for relapse are EUPHORIC RECALL and the DESIRE TO TEST CONTROL over GAMBLING.
Euphoric recall is the act of remembering only the pleasures associated with GAMBLING and not the adverse consequences.
Euphoric recall is a potent relapse risk factor because it MINIMIZES perceptions of GAMBLING ‘s DANGER, promoting AMBIVALENCE about quitting. It minimizes the DANGER of what GAMBLING CAN DO TO US and promote what GAMBLING CAN DO FOR US.
For these reasons, so-called “war stories” that include EUPHORIC RECALL and SELECTIVE MEMORY are POWERFUL relapse TRIGGERS and should be STRONGLY DISCOURAGE in recovery groups.
After beginning to feel healthier, more in control of their lives, and free of some of their GAMBLING problems, some feel that they are ready to try a new approach to GAMBLING.
For example,
Some may FEEL that if they are “CAREFUL,” they can GAMBLE without losing control over their GAMBLING.
Others may feel that this is a good time to try GAMBLING “one last time,” just to see if they can do it without escalating into compulsive use and loss of control.
URGES TO TEST THEIR CONTROL OVER GAMBLING ARE A POWERFUL RELAPSE WARNING SIGN!!!
UGLY REMINDERS, can help us make LISTS of NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES of GAMBLING, which can be reviewed when we experience CRAVING, fantasize about CONTROL GAMBLING, or reliving past experiences with GAMBLING.