Justice Navigator

Step 1: Know Your Triggers

What is a Trigger?

A trigger is any person, place, thing, or feeling that makes you want to fall back into old, negative habits. Understanding your triggers is the first and most important step to avoiding them.

Common Triggers Can Be:

People: Old friends who are still making bad choices.
Places: A specific neighborhood, bar, or street corner where you used to get into trouble.
Feelings: Stress, anger, boredom, sadness, or loneliness.
Things: Seeing drugs or alcohol.

What to Do:

Think about the situations that have led to trouble in the past. Be honest with yourself. Once you know your triggers, you can make a plan to avoid them. This might mean taking a different route home, deleting old phone numbers, or having a plan for when you feel stressed or angry.

Step 2: Improve Your Behavioral Control

The "Stop and Think" Method

When you feel a strong emotion like anger, or have an impulse to do something you know is wrong, practice pausing. Just for a moment. Take one deep breath and count to 10. This small pause can be the difference between making a good choice and a bad one.

Walk Away

If a situation feels tense or someone is trying to start a conflict with you, it is not a sign of weakness to walk away. It is a sign of strength and self-control. Your safety and freedom are more important than winning an argument.

Find Healthy Outlets

Everyone needs a way to deal with stress and emotions. Find something positive that works for you. This could be:

Exercising, like going for a walk, run, or lifting weights.
Listening to music.
Talking to someone on your support team.
Focusing on a hobby you enjoy.

Step 3: Build a Strong Support System

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

Trying to change your life is hard, and it's much harder to do by yourself. A support system is a group of trustworthy people who want you to succeed.

Your Support System Can Include:

Supportive family members
Positive friends who are not involved in crime
A counselor or therapist
A mentor or religious leader
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Your probation or parole officer

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

When you are struggling, reach out to someone in your support system. Telling someone "I'm having a hard time today" can make all the difference.

Step 4: Create a Positive Routine

Too much free time with nothing to do can be a trigger for boredom and bad choices. Building a simple, structured routine can help you stay focused and productive.

Your Routine Can Include:

Waking up at a consistent time.
Looking for a job or going to work/school.
Making time for a healthy meal.
Scheduling time for exercise or a hobby.
Attending any required meetings or appointments.
Setting a goal to accomplish each day, even a small one.