The Gate Protocol

This is the heart of Mind Sentry. The Gate Protocol gives you specific, actionable tools for the moment that matters most.

What You'll Learn

• The addiction cycle and where to intervene
• "The Gate" - the critical decision point
• Six Gate Tools for different situations
• How to choose the right tool in the moment

The Addiction Cycle

Every addictive episode follows a predictable pattern:

1. Trigger - Internal or external cue
2. Sensation - Physical feeling in the body
3. Interpretation - How your mind labels it
4. Craving - The pull toward the behavior
5. THE GATE - The decision point
6. Ritual - Pre-behavior routines
7. Behavior - The addictive act
8. Outcome - Short-term relief, long-term cost
9. Learning - Brain strengthens the pathway

Why The Gate Matters

Between craving and ritual, there's a window—usually just seconds—where conscious choice is possible. This is The Gate.

Most people don't even notice this moment. They move from craving to ritual on autopilot. The Gate Protocol trains you to:

1. Recognize when you're at The Gate
2. Pause automatic behavior
3. Deploy a specific intervention
4. Make a conscious choice

The Gate Tools

This module introduces six evidence-based tools:

1. Pause Practice - Creating space before reacting
2. Urge Surfing - Riding the wave without acting
3. Thought Reframe - Challenging permission-giving thoughts
4. Grounding (5-4-3-2-1) - Anchoring in the present moment
5. Body Scan - Processing physical sensations
6. Box Breathing - Activating the calm nervous system

Each tool targets different aspects of the urge experience. You'll learn when to use each one.