Compulsive behaviors can be frustrating and difficult to control. We recommend you reach out to a professioal who can assist you in better understanding all of the factors that may be playing a role in the behaviors. Originally developed for those struggling with behaviors associated with eating disorders such as bingeing, purging and excessive exercise, the URGE911 steps have been helpful to many people struggling with all types of compulsive behaviors.

Here’s what others say about using URGE911:

The Urge911 tool helped me slow down the process of being impulsive and/or compulsive, which I often found was the case with my eating disorder. With the steps I was able to break down what I was experiencing in real time. Labeling the thoughts and sensations I was feeling, naming the need I was seeking, and then visualizing how I could act differently really helped me make a change in the way I reacted in triggering situations.

I still use it, even though these days my eating disorder urges are far and few in between!

Alyssa F.

I was in major distress one day in the hospital about binging and purging, and my therapist quickly went to get this urge card and helped me use it. At first, I thought it was not going to work at all, but as I got used to using the card, and using it correctly it helped me tremendously. All I have to do now is think about the card and I can put myself at ease with it.

C. B.

URGE911 helps clients learn how to communicate with themselves and others about their physical and emotional experiences related to an urge, how to identify needs connected to those experiences, and how to begin creating a new behavior that is more authentic to the self.  This, in turn, erodes behaviors of self-destruction, self-sabotage and can dissolve old messages and poor impulse control.  I have found that URGE 911 has helped many of my patients communicate more effectively with me, develop a fundamental understanding of neurobiology, and have a tool for any self-destructive urges when they step down to a lower level of care and work slowly toward independent recovery. Allison Lansky, Ed.S., LMFT, CEDS, NCC

Lead Senior Primary Therapist, The Center for Eating Disorders Care, University Medical Center of Princeton

When I first heard about Urge911 I knew that I HAD to start using it with my clients ASAP! Sure enough, it’s been a huge hit with my clients, and has helped so many of them…navigate through an urge without acting on it while helping them gaining valuable insight about themselves and their needs throughout the process. I’d highly recommend for anyone working through any sort of behavioral struggle to utilize this card!

Kelley Dawson, MA, LPC

Therapist

Using this tool has helped me realize how important it is to recognize what I am feeling, why I am feeling it, and what helps with the urges. It has reminded me that just because I am feeling an urge, does not mean that I have to act on the urge.

It also has helped me focus on what I really want, which is to be in recovery, and then leads me into practicing self-care and grounding techniques.

This tool can be used for eating disorders, but also just about every addiction or behavior. It has helped me with self-harm urges, eating disorder behaviors, and distress tolerance when my PTSD is activated. I am incredibly thankful for this tool and how much it has helped me.”

Maria D.