Most Common Relapse Triggers in Addiction Recovery

There is an important distinction to be made between a lapse, or slipup, and a relapse. The distinction is critical to make because it influences how people handle their behavior. A relapse is a sustained return to heavy and frequent substance use that existed https://ecosoberhouse.com/ prior to treatment or the commitment to change. A slipup is a short-lived lapse, often accidental, typically reflecting inadequacy of coping strategies in a high-risk situation. It helps to compare addiction relapse to relapse in other chronic conditions.

• However, you can get through cravings for drugs or alcohol using one of many strategies.
• 5) People think that they have a better understanding of drugs and alcohol and, therefore, think they should be able to control a relapse or avoid the negative consequences.
• In these situations, poor self-care often precedes drug or alcohol use.
• You may even be able to reach out to aftercare services offered by your treatment center and get a refresher session.
• A person with diabetes will often relapse due to poor eating behaviors, for example.

When combined, mindfulness and meditation can help individuals gain greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns, allowing them to address addiction triggers more effectively. Mindfulness and meditation are two of the most effective coping strategies for managing addiction triggers. Mindfulness is a practice that encourages focus on the present moment and can help to reduce stress, improve concentration and increase emotional regulation. Meditation is a practice of focusing on quieting the mind to cultivate clarity, serenity, and insight. The best way to avoid environmental addiction triggers is to become aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

How Do You Make A Relapse Prevention Plan?

The Discovery Cards are an amazing tool for exploring these topics with individuals or groups. Patients in rehab may consider skipping treatment sessions or support group meetings to spend time with their friends and family. A break in the routine may leave periods of isolation where patients may be inclined to use substances. High-risk places remind former drug users of the times they engaged in substance use. Walking or driving through places where they used to drink or consume drugs can spark a memory connected to drug or alcohol use. Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse.

Get treatment for any underlying mental illness and monitor your thinking and feeling with a journal to help notice when you are slipping into old patterns. If recovery is your priority, then making sure you avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired will also need to become priorities. This may mean planning meals, sticking to a strict sleep schedule, and attending support groups. The acronym HALT is used to describe high-risk situations for those in recovery. When you are aware of this you can be vigilant in preventing yourself from entering those states.

Emphasizing Emotional Awareness (HALT)

Sharing that you are in recovery with your doctor and being insistent about providing non-addictive prescription drug alternatives is important. It is, however, impossible to avoid feeling sad, angry, guilty, or lonely all the time. Experiencing these emotions is normal and an important aspect of recovery (and life) – but they are uncomfortable! Learning how to cope with your emotions as they arise without the use of drugs and alcohol will be essential in early recovery. The solution to overcoming this relapse trigger is to learn how to channel your positive feelings in a positive way, without the use of substance abuse. Believe it or not, some of the closest people to you can trigger a relapse.

It’s possible to predict that some events—parties, other social events—may be problematic. It’s wise to create in advance a plan that can be enacted on the spot—for example, pre-arranging for a friend or family member to pick you up if you text or call. Sleep regulates and restores every function of the human body and mind.

Relapse Is Not a Failure

As we’ve mentioned a few times, it’s important to learn healthy coping mechanisms to help you handle yourself if you happen to encounter one of your triggers while you’re out in the world. 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. If a person isn’t equipped with effective coping skills or neglects to use them to their full potential, the likelihood of acting on their urges increases.

In the absence of triggers, or cues, cravings are headed toward extinction soon after quitting. But sometimes triggers can’t be avoided—you accidentally encounter someone or pass a place where  you once used. Moreover, the brain is capable of awakening memories of drug use on its own. That view contrasts with the evidence that addiction itself changes the brain—and stopping use changes it back.

Study finds that Alcohol is the Most Dangerous Drug above Heroin and Cocaine

Alternatively, a person might encounter some life difficulties that make memories of drug use particularly alluring. With the right relapse prevention treatment, you will be on your way to a life free of drugs and alcohol and full of promise and contentment. Anxiety, types of relapse triggers depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses can be major relapse triggers. Substance use disorders can often be influenced by these conditions. If you are experiencing negative thoughts, monitor them by journaling and talking to a therapist.