Millions of people in the United States live with substance use disorder (SUD). Drug and alcohol addictions impact every aspect of a person’s life. People with SUD require holistic treatment to address the complex roots of their addiction.

Comprehensive addiction treatment plans typically include medications, behavioral therapies, education, and other evidence-based therapies. Holistic treatment can help people understand and address the factors that contribute to substance abuse.

After completing treatment, people must stay engaged in the recovery process. People must work to prevent relapse. Identifying and avoiding relapse triggers can help people stay on track in recovery.

This article will explore common relapse triggers.

If you or a loved one requires addiction treatment or support during recovery, you are not alone. Contact the intake team at The Best Treatment to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

What are Relapse Triggers?

Most people experience at least one relapse during addiction recovery. A relapse can feel like a significant setback. People may feel discouraged or wonder if they are capable of recovering from addiction.

Relapses typically do not happen out of the blue. There are three stages of relapse. They are:

• Emotional relapse
• Mental relapse
• Physical relapse

During the earliest stage of a relapse, people may experience internal triggers. These are negative emotions, like boredom, anxiety, or sadness. They may begin to isolate more, skip appointments, and fall into destructive habits.

A mental relapse can occur if people do not recognize the signs of an emotional relapse. During a mental relapse, people may justify their substance use. They may think about or plan to use substances again. Without intervention, people may progress towards a physical relapse.

Triggers can play a role in a relapse. Relapse triggers are internal or external stimuli that can cause cravings or lead to a relapse.

Understanding your unique triggers can help you avoid or manage them. Knowing what feelings, people, places, and other things may trigger a relapse can help you reduce your risk of relapse.

What are the Most Common Relapse Triggers

Every person has their own unique relapse triggers. Typically, relapse triggers fall into two categories: internal triggers and external triggers. Internal triggers are feelings or sensations that come from within a person. External triggers are people, places, objects, or other situations that may lead to cravings.

Here are five of the most common relapse triggers.

1. Mental health symptoms

Untreated mental health symptoms can derail your progress in recovery. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms can be significant triggers. People who experience mental health symptoms may be more likely to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.  It is important to treat mental health conditions to prevent symptoms from triggering a relapse.

2. Relationship issues

Many people imagine that all of their problems will disappear when they finish rehab. However, complicated relationships with friends and family members often remain, even after completing a treatment program.

It is essential to recognize relationship stressors and address them. Getting treatment, developing better communication skills, and participating in relationship counseling can reduce the risk of relapse.

3. People, places, and dates

People in recovery may have overwhelming emotional responses to some external stimuli. There may be specific dates, places, objects, or people who bring up complex feelings. For example, spending time with people you used drugs with may be triggering. Stepping into an old favorite bar or seeing paraphernalia may trigger cravings.

It is important to consider what external stimuli could be triggering. Make a plan to avoid them or use coping skills if you can’t.

4. Chronic stress

Chronic stress can be a significant relapse trigger for many in recovery. While stress is part of everyday life for most, ongoing or severe stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Living in a state of chronic stress can trigger a relapse, especially for those who don’t have healthy coping skills to manage it.

5. Uncomfortable emotions

Boredom, loneliness, anxiety, and other uncomfortable feelings can trigger a relapse. Many people expect that they will feel happy or content after leaving addiction behind. However, painful emotions are part of life for everyone–even those in addiction recovery.

It is critical to recognize and learn to manage your triggers. You may be able to avoid some of your triggers. However, you’ll likely have to face them from time to time.

Tips on Managing Relapse Triggers

Developing healthy coping skills and using them can reduce the risk of relapse, even when confronted by an unexpected trigger. Some things you can do to manage your triggers include:

• Staying connected with your support system (friends, family members, addiction counselor, sober buddies, etc.)
• Practicing good self-care (prioritizing sleep, exercising regularly, getting regular mental health and medical treatment, eating nutritious foods, etc.)
• Getting more treatment if you need it

Sometimes, people need more help learning to deal with their triggers. Participating in more treatment can help you develop the skills you need to identify and cope with your triggers.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the intake specialists at The Best Treatment to learn about our holistic treatment and recovery support programs. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake assessment.

References:

1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery
2. Science Direct: Determinants and prevalence of relapse among patients with substance use disorder in a rural population: A retrospective observational study