Avoiding Addiction Triggers
It’s not uncommon for people who struggle with addiction to suffer a relapse over the course of their recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction relapse rates range between 40-60%.
To avoid a relapse, it is important to avoid addiction triggers that could cause a downward spiral that may lead to an addiction to re-emerge.
In today’s blog we are examining two main questions regarding addiction relapse.
- What are those environmental and physiological triggers that can cause a relapse?
- What prevention techniques can you use to avoid these triggers?
What Is an Addiction Trigger?
In terms of relapse, a trigger is something that reminds someone of a previous addiction. That memory or emotional reaction could cue a craving for that addiction focus. Triggers can be both internal and external. Internal triggers could include: negative thoughts or emotions while external triggers are objects, places, situations, or people that may cue a craving.
Triggers & Prevention
While there are many triggers that could cause a path down a slippery slope from sobriety to relapse, let’s look at some of the most common causes and how you can prevent this from happening to yourself or a loved one.
Withdrawal
Sadly, many individuals relapse within the first 30 days of sobriety due to withdrawal symptoms. To a varying degree, most people who have abused drugs or alcohol will experience a physiological withdrawal symptom(s) to their drug of choice.
For some the withdrawal may include nausea, headaches, cold/hot sweats, diarrhea, restlessness, and vomiting. Some people who are detoxing may even suffer from seizures.
To prevent this physical reaction that could trigger a relapse, most healthcare professionals suggest working with a doctor who can suggest a medical detox prescription and provide a supervised detox period.
People, Places, Objects & Situations
Many people who suffer from addiction know that there are certain places, people, situations, and objects that may trigger a memory of the addiction and cue the intense cravings associated with that.
Obviously remaining home bound and avoiding all things that could trigger a relapse is nearly impossible. However, most drug addiction specialists recommend (at least early in recovery) avoiding the places where you used to use/abuse your substance. Initially, you may need to steer clear of bars, restaurants, and even friends’ homes that remind you of that time in your life. This can be difficult especially for those who have friends, family, or partners who are still deep in the addiction.
Ideally, a recovering addict will eventually be able to expose themselves to people, places, and situations as they gain confidence and strength in their sobriety.
Stress/Emotional Challenges
While it would be great if everyone could avoid stress, it’s not possible to avoid stress altogether. The most important thing about stress and emotional challenges after an addiction is to learn new ways to handle the stress.
Increasing healthy behaviors such as walking, exercising, talking with friends, picking up a hobby, or doing something you love, can take the edge off the stress in a positive and healthy way.
According to VeryWell Mind online, “Reducing the likelihood that stress will trigger a relapse not only involves finding healthier ways of dealing with stress, but being able to recognize when you are in a stressful situation and doing something to alleviate it.”
Mental Health
Unaddressed or hidden mental health problems can sometimes be the root cause of an addiction. According to Family Addiction Specialists, “As with alcohol and drug addiction, mental health issues often require long-term attention to sustain recovery. If mental health issues go unaddressed, or if an individual does not know how to properly cope, they can trigger an alcohol or drug relapse.”