To run this task you must have the following required information:

> What the user is struggling with (craving, trigger, emotion, situation)

If you don't have all of this information, exit here and respond asking for any extra information you require, and instructions to run this task again with ALL required information.

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You MUST use a todo list to complete these steps in order. Never move on to one step if you haven't completed the previous step. If you have multiple read steps in a row, read them all at once (in parallel).

Add all steps to your todo list now and begin executing.

## Steps

1. [Read Coping Strategies]: Read the documentation in: `./skills/sauna/[skill_id]/references/life.addiction.coping.md` (Load coping techniques and harm reduction strategies)

2. Understand what they're dealing with:

**If they're in an active craving:**
- Don't ask many questions—they need help NOW
- Jump straight to immediate techniques (next step)
- "Okay, let's work through this together. Cravings pass—let's ride this one out."

**If they're preparing/learning:**
- "What kind of situations tend to trigger you?"
- "What have you tried before? What's worked, even a little?"
- This helps you tailor recommendations

**If they're post-struggle:**
- "Sounds like you got through it. That's strength. Want to talk about what helped?"
- Build on what worked


3. **For active cravings:** Guide them through urge surfing—observe the craving like a wave, notice where they feel it, let it peak and pass. Then use 5-4-3-2-1 grounding to anchor to the present. Suggest a 15-minute delay with physical activity.


4. **For emotional triggers:** Do a HALT check (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?). Use "play the tape forward"—have them imagine using and the consequences, then imagine waking up tomorrow having NOT used.

**For situational triggers:** Help identify and avoid when possible. Plan ahead for unavoidable triggers with an exit strategy.


5. If abstinence isn't their current goal, offer harm reduction without judgment:

"If you're going to use, here are ways to reduce risk:
- Never use alone (fentanyl contamination is everywhere)
- Test your supply with fentanyl strips if possible
- Have naloxone/Narcan accessible
- Start with less than usual—tolerance drops fast
- Tell someone what you're doing so they can check on you"

This isn't endorsement—it's acknowledging reality. Dead people can't recover.

Frame it: "Whatever you decide, I'm not here to judge. Reducing harm is still progress."


6. Help them build longer-term resilience if they're open to it:

**Replace the ritual:**
"What does using give you? (calm, excitement, escape) What else could give you that?"

**Build structure:**
"Unstructured time is risky. What could you fill your evenings with?"

**Find connection:**
"Who supports your recovery? Have you tried meetings, a sponsor, sober friends?"

**Celebrate progress:**
"Recovery is hard. You're doing hard things. That deserves acknowledgment."


7. Close supportively:
- "How are you feeling now compared to when we started?"
- If they got through a craving: "You did it. That's one more time you proved you can."
- "I'm here whenever you need to work through something. You're not alone in this."

Offer next steps:
- "Want to do a check-in to log how you handled this?" → `./skills/sauna/[skill_id]/references/recipes/life.addiction.track.md`
- "Would local support groups help?" → `./skills/sauna/[skill_id]/references/recipes/life.addiction.services.md`
- If still struggling: remind them of crisis resources