3 Types of Triggers That Can Lead to Addiction Relapse

Your biological body clock is a trigger to undertake any routine behaviour. All living creatures have an internal timing system that tells us what we should be doing at any given time to satisfy our needs. So whether it’s a lunch time drink, evening joint, bedtime pill, weekend cocaine, daily or sometimes hourly fix, you are programmed to expect it. Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name.

Here are seven common relapse triggers that can affect your addiction recovery. On average more than 85% of individuals are susceptible to relapse in the following year after drug and alcohol treatment. Relapse triggers are far more extreme for recovering addicts in the early recovery months of addiction treatment.

Dealing With Unexpected Addiction Triggers

SMART Recovery also uses cognitive behavioral therapy , which focuses on changing negative behaviors and thoughts into positive ones so that you can make productive lifestyle types of relapse triggers changes. Individuals develop new thoughts, feelings and behaviors while using substances. These may include shutting family off, denying issues or justifying substance use.

As a result, it may help to list all the people, places, and things that cause you excessive stress. Understanding what might trigger you to relapse as well as having a plan in the place for these triggers are the first steps toward prevention. Here are five triggers you need to consider and talk to your therapist or counselor about. Everyone has had long, difficult days that end with the thought, “Why do I even bother? ” This can be a difficult question to ask yourself if you have a substance abuse disorder. Maybe right now you cannot answer the question of why you bother trying, but those answers exist, often in the form of children, a spouse, or a project or cause about which you are passionate. Again, this can be an opportune time to contact your 12-step sponsor.

Dealing With Addiction Triggers? Try These Coping Skills

Avoiding all of your triggers isn’t always an option, but running into one when you’re going about your daily business doesn’t necessarily have to trigger a relapse. Addiction relapses are similar in that the individual needs to seek treatment to get back on track.

• List out all the negatives of using and all the benefits of staying sober.
• Emotional triggers in recovery that haven’t been carefully considered can derail sobriety very quickly.
• If you’re feeling stressed by conditions in your everyday life, try practicing healthier coping mechanisms like mindfulness.
• If you’re not sure what kind of external addictive triggers you should avoid, keep reading.
• Take classes or work with a therapist to help manage anger, depression, and anxiety.

«Although it was a short stay at Discovery, I feel I got a lot out of meetings, commitments, feed back, and advice from my family.» Recovery is always possible even after a relapse, especially if you act right away to get your sobriety back on track. If you have relapsed, this does not mean you’ve failed or have to start completely over. It’s important to remain positive and to consider seeking treatment – especially if this isn’t your first relapse.

Triggers of a Relapse

It’s also important to learn positive ways to successfully manage the stress. Choice House is a Colorado treatment center with an admissions director ready to talk to you about treatment options for lasting sobriety. Triggers that lead to relapse can be different for everyone, but again, the best defense against the pulls of addiction is knowledge and awareness.

A private and convenient solution when you are seeking addiction help for yourself or a loved one. Federal laws and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate state or local authorities. The disclosure is made to medical personnel in https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or practice/program evaluation. It is essential to understand the definition of addiction and know how it differs from physical dependence or tolerance. The key to understanding this is knowing the difference between physical dependence and addiction.

External Relapse Triggers

Because alcohol is so prevalent in our culture, it’s also a good idea to have a game plan for what you’ll do if exposure pops up unexpectedly. You may plan to leave the situation immediately or have a sober friend with you to keep you accountable.