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. There are many possible coping strategies you can try, but all should focus on reducing the impact of the trigger and the strength of emotional reactions. Many different stimuli can be possible triggers, and they are often strongly influenced by past experiences. Identifying your triggers is often the first step in learning how to cope with and manage them.
Finding activities that bring you joy can be a great way to cope with triggers in the moment. A support system of people you trust can be helpful in planning. Reach out to us today by filling out the contact form below with your name, contact information, and a brief message about your recovery journey.
Internal vs. External Relapse Triggers
There are many different types of relapse triggers, and understanding them is key to preventing a relapse from occurring. While relapse is not an indication https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/dealing-with-internal-and-external-relapse-triggers/ of failure, it can be a setback in the journey to long-term sobriety. Triggers bring up intense memories and feelings of using substances.
For instance, triggers may occur when someone remembers an event, or when an uncomfortable experience happens. The experience may cause someone to lash out, breakdown, or cope in unhealthy ways. As a result, individuals with unchecked triggers can cope in harmful ways, foster unhealthy relationships, and endure much suffering. The steps are about understanding yourself, making positive changes, and learning to help others.
A Multifaceted Approach: Addressing Internal and External Triggers in Addiction Recovery
Many people in recovery from substance use disorder learn the tools to manage stressful triggers and go on to lead balanced, fulfilling lives. What happens to the recovering cocaine addict who suffers from reoccurring internal triggers? They stay away from people, places, and things, which takes care of the external triggers, but they are still haunted by the thoughts and feelings that bring on drug cravings. For someone who has suffered from physical or emotional abuse as a child, opioids may become their drug of choice, because opioids help to suppress emotional pain.
You also need to learn new ways to cope with the relapse triggers as well as your cravings so that you can overcome them and avoid relapse. Emotions like anger, guilt, irritability, and low self-esteem can surface when individuals are triggered, spiraling into various behaviors and compulsions. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Unfortunately, the nature of emotional or mental triggers can run very deep and can be traumatizing. Some can push individuals to adopt unhealthy ways of coping, such as self-harm, harm to others, and substance abuse. Building resilience is another critical aspect of relapse prevention.
Discover a Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment
Each time a person is triggered is a learning opportunity that can help manage reactions in the future. If a person can’t control the trigger fully, they may be able to limit the emotional reaction to it before it becomes problematic and harder to address. They might even be able to prevent the trigger by preparing for it. Anything that offers a little control over mental illness can help keep us well. Many people find that visiting certain places causes intense triggering in them.
Dr. Bricker advises writing down the trigger, whether or not you subsequently give in to the distraction. The following activity offers suggestions to support you in your decision to cut back or quit drinking. It can be used with counseling or therapy and is not meant as a substitute for professional help. If you choose to try it on your own and at any point feel you need more help, then seek support (see Help Links). The earlier people in recovery can identify and successfully respond to triggers, the greater their chances of prolonged abstinence.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs. At this critical initial stage, it can be important to ensure that you continue certain treatment aspects, such as counseling and communicating with recovery experts. If you are newly in recovery, you may want to consider an outpatient program for your first few months into sobriety. We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites. You might be surprised at how people find excuses to hold on to connections with people who threaten their recovery.
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