It’s understandable to be concerned about relapse after completing a substance abuse treatment program. Triggers may seem to be everywhere, and you might want to isolate yourself to avoid them. Because many people begin using drugs to manage pressure, they might not know how to handle stress triggers if they haven’t developed other coping mechanisms. You probably experience nervousness, frustration, pressure, fatigue, embarrassment or boredom from time to time in your everyday life.

These thoughts can lead to anxiety, resentments, stress, and depression, all of which can lead to relapse. Cognitive therapy types of relapse triggers and mind-body relaxation help break old habits and retrain neural circuits to create new, healthier ways of thinking .

Nostalgia for Substance Abuse

And while many journeys to lasting sobriety might involve a speed bump or two, one of the best ways you can protect yourself against substance abuse relapse is to learn more about it. Over the years, additional research has confirmed that the steps described in theGorski and Miller study are “reliableand valid” predictors that commonly cause many of us in recovery to relapse. On this page we want to focus on relapse triggers and how to sharpen your relapse radar as it will help you to recognise the warning signs and take action to avoid the physical relapse. Cravings for our favorite things are common and one of the many things that makes us human. But if you’re someone in recovery from a substance use disorder, cravings for drugs or alcohol can come on strong, throwing a wrench into your attempt to avoid relapse. Emotions like anger, guilt, irritability, and low self-esteem can surface when individuals are triggered, spiraling into various behaviors and compulsions.

External relapse triggers can be defined as people, places, activities, objects, and situations. Each of these things can trigger a downward spiral of events in an individual’s drug and alcohol recovery process. While each person’s external triggers are different, there’s no denying the severity of these addictive triggers. For instance, the mere sighting of cocaine images, and empty prescription bottles can trigger a person to relapse or lapse. With this in mind, it is important for people in recovery to avoid people, places, activities, objects, and situations, that remind them of using drugs and alcohol. If you’re not sure what kind of external addictive triggers you should avoid, keep reading.

What Are Relapse Triggers?

Sonia holds a bachelor’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Education on coping skills can help people manage thoughts of using.