HALT : Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, four basic human states that lower every psychological defence and make an addict most vulnerable to returning to substance use.
H, Hungry
Not metaphorically. Literally. When blood sugar drops, impulse control weakens. Eating regularly is part of recovery, not a minor detail.
A, Angry
Unprocessed anger in the body without expression. When it cannot be expressed cleanly, it accumulates, and in recovery, that pressure finding release is one of the highest-risk moments.
L, Lonely
Disconnected from the tribe. Isolated. The antidote is contact: reaching out, showing up, being with people who know you.
T, Tired
Exhaustion strips away the capacity for good decisions. Fatigue is one of the most underestimated relapse risks.
Using HALT
When the urge arrives, pause. Check: Am I hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? Address the state first. The urge very often passes once the basic need is met.
Book a consultation with Philippe Jacquet, psychotherapist and Jungian analyst, London.
Work with Dr Philippe Jacquet, addiction counselling in London.