Relapse Triggers People, Places & Things Causing Cravings

This could be a pleasant memory of “good times” had while using certain substances or a difficult memory of arrest, sickness, overdose, or fights with others over your substance abuse. Recovery is a journey https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with no end, yet some people begin to feel that they are cured and don’t have to worry about triggers anymore. It’s important to develop a healthy level of self-confidence, but humility is necessary too.

Asking the right questions and taking the correct steps can enable people in recovery to healthily transition to their normal life without risking a relapse. Former drug or alcohol users are in denial during emotional relapse, but they do not have thoughts of using. They are ashamed of the last time they relapsed and may have developed negative behaviors to cope with their thoughts. This state of mind is dangerous because it encourages bad health practices that can eventually lead to a full-blown relapse. To understand the importance of self-care, it helps to understand why most people use drugs and alcohol. It helps to acknowledge these benefits in therapy so that individuals can understand the importance of self-care and be motivated to find healthy alternatives.

Mental Relapse Triggers

The stress and discomfort of anger, which may be combined with feelings of helplessness, guilt, or frustration, can lead you to seek an immediate release via old habits. While we can’t – and shouldn’t – completely avoid feelings of anger, we can change the way we manage and process these feelings. This means analysing and understanding why you are angry, and then making a decision about how to release some of the tension caused by it. Going for a workout or talking to a trusted friend can help soothe turbulent emotions.

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps identify negative thoughts that lead to substance abuse. CBT effectively reduces the risk of relapse and is an integral component of the recovery process. Write down things that have helped you stay sober on your recovery journey. Positive coping skills include attending support groups, exercising, journaling, and eating healthy foods to minimize intense cravings. Anticipating how to handle change, either positive or negative, can help prepare you for managing these situations when they come up. When people in recovery succumb to triggers, their brains create reasons to use substances despite knowing that they must remain abstinent.

Common Internal Relapse Triggers

Grounding yourself in reality and remembering why you are in recovery is key in breaking out of these patterns. Reflect on the negative experiences of your addiction, and recognise that your brain is still in a process of healing and time will help to overcome these old ways https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/types-of-relapse-triggers/ of thinking. You can choose to simply avoid these places if possible, but if it’s not, preparing yourself is key to helping manage your trigger response. Be aware that the response you will have is a trigger, and think of other ways to bring your mind back to the present.

The tasks of this stage are similar to the tasks that non-addicts face in everyday life. When non-addicts do not develop healthy life skills, the consequence is that they may be unhappy in life. When recovering individuals do not develop healthy life skills, the consequence is that they also may be unhappy in life, but that can lead to relapse. The negative thinking that underlies addictive thinking is usually all-or-nothing thinking, disqualifying the positives, catastrophizing, and negatively self-labeling [9]. These thoughts can lead to anxiety, resentments, stress, and depression, all of which can lead to relapse. Cognitive therapy and mind-body relaxation help break old habits and retrain neural circuits to create new, healthier ways of thinking [12,13].

Seeking Help for Addiction at North Georgia Recovery Center

Hawaii Island Recovery, the Big Island’s premiere residential substance abuse rehabilitation facility for adults, offers a comprehensive treatment program in a tranquil and healing environment. Rather than viewing your relapse as a failure, view it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and what you need to do in order to avoid relapsing again. Use it as a chance to renew your commitment to a healthy future and seek out the tools you need to continue in your recovery.

Awareness of potential triggers and reaching out to your support system when needed can help overcome the challenges posed by reminders of past use. By staying vigilant and seeking help when necessary, you can continue your recovery journey and avoid the pitfalls of relapse. So, try journaling, meditating, or even praying when you are feeling negative. An addiction specialist or another mental health professional can help you develop additional coping strategies. Many people who struggle with addiction turn to their substance or activity of choice as a maladaptive way of coping. It is common for people who struggle with addiction to relapse at least once during recovery.

Causes of Relapse in Late Stage Recovery

Explain to yourself that you recognize the trigger, you’re taking steps to remove yourself from the situation and you don’t allow the trigger to have any power over you. You might be worried that this distraction tactic might come across as rude if you’re out in public. There’s nothing rude about taking care of yourself and avoiding triggers that could lead to a relapse. Send them a text message or Facetime them until the urge to relapse passes. Technology gives us the tools to stay connected to our support groups even if they’re not in the same time zone. It helps to compare addiction relapse to relapse in other chronic conditions.

Therefore, it is incredibly imperative to stay in contact with your sponsor and let them know if you ever experience any thoughts in which you glamorize use. They can help you get your thought process back on the right path and remind you why you need to prioritize recovery. Users in recovery can ask themselves some questions to help them understand their internal thoughts and feelings.