We remain open and committed to providing services for our clients. For more information on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) procedures, Click Here

How to Avoid Common Relapse Triggers

Home » Blog » How to Avoid Common Relapse Triggers

There are many obstacles and challenges to overcoming addiction. One of these is dealing with the relapse triggers and cues, emotional reaction that people experience as they go about their lives. This can lead to a desire to relapse to the substance. These cues, also known as triggers, can manifest differently depending on the person.

What is an Addiction Trigger?

Triggers are situations that bring back memories from the past, whether they be social, emotional, or environmental. These memories can trigger strong emotions, leading to a desire to use the substance again. Although triggers don’t necessarily cause relapse, they can make it more challenging to resist sudden cravings.

Addiction is a brain disease that can lead to relapses. Long-term use of drugs and alcohol can create associations between one’s daily life and their experience with intoxication. Specific cues can immediately turn on the association and activate the craving reflex in response to external or internal triggers. 

While triggers are less common if someone isn’t using substances, they can still occur. However, anyone who is in recovery must be ready to react to any triggers.

Common Relapse Addiction Triggers List

There are many types of triggers that can lead to addiction relapse. These triggers can be psychological, emotional, or mental. These are the top 10 triggers for addiction recovery. Here are some quick tips to help you avoid them.

1. HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

The HALT states can reduce a person’s ability for stress management and increase impulsivity.

Plan meals, practice mindfulness, find support from others and keep a consistent sleep schedule. 

2. Challenging Emotions

People often abuse substances because they feel negative emotions, such as guilt, sadness, or anger. These emotions can come back up during recovery and trigger cravings.

In recovery you must learn coping skills and identify your emotional triggers through therapy to prevent negative emotions from triggering a rebound.

3. Stress

Chronic and acute stress can increase your risk of drug addiction and could be the leading triggers for relapse.

Stress can be solved by combining preventive self-care with employing coping strategies whenever you feel overwhelmed.

4. Overconfidence in Recovery

While it is vital to have self-confidence and humility, it is also essential to be able to accept the limitations of addiction. Someone may forget that addiction can be a long-term condition and be tempted to drink one injection, hit, or bump in the hope that it will not be too much. This can lead to more risky situations and ultimately a complete relapse.

5. Mental or physical Illness

Many underlying mental illness such as depression and anxiety can be closely linked to addiction. This can lead to more or more vital triggers. Chronic pain and physical illness can also cause stress to the body, increasing the likelihood of relapse.

Let your doctor know you are in recovery when you visit them. A non-addictive prescription and alternative medication can be a great way to eliminate triggers.

6. Social Isolation

Engaging socially and creating a support network for recovery can be exhausting for many. Some people try to avoid it, leading them to isolation and increasing loneliness. 

People in recovery often struggle with social anxiety. It is common to have a friend or sponsor to help you avoid isolation and triggers.

7. Romantic relationships

Anyone who has experienced a divorce knows how difficult it can be to get on with your life. In addition to the emotional turmoil that comes with addiction recovery, romantic relationships can cause devastating emotions that make it seem like a person is lost and out of control. These are powerful drug addiction relapse triggers. It is not necessary to be single for life, but it is wise to actively avoid romantic relationships during the first year of recovery.

8. New jobs and promotions

Relapse can be triggered by several things, including promotion or a new job. One is the temptation to celebrate by using “just once” again. One way to keep on track is to plan sober celebrations.

9. Nostalgia about Substance Abuse

Even though someone in recovery is aware that their addiction was causing harm to themselves and others, it’s pretty common to see substance abuse as a positive thing.

 It’s time for your support network to intervene if you are stuck thinking about alcohol or drugs. To remind yourself why you chose recovery, talk to a friend, counselor, or sponsor.

10. Drugs are available in certain places and situations

It can be challenging to avoid substances of abuse. It is especially difficult to avoid alcohol because many people see drinking as usual. You need to identify the people, places, and things that trigger you to avoid falling into a relapse trap.

Identifying Triggers for Recovery

There are two types of triggers that you should be aware of: internal and external triggers. Because they involve people, places, and things that can make someone want to take drugs or alcohol again, external triggers are usually easier to identify. Because they involve complex feelings, internal triggers are more difficult to identify.

People in recovery are especially vulnerable to these subconscious reactions and cues from their brain.  Avoiding people, places, and objects that can remind you of your past substance abuse is essential to maintaining recovery.

Recognizing the Stages Of Relapse

Although relapse is often seen as a result of an impulse, there are several warning signs that could indicate when someone is at greater risk of using drugs again. There are three types of relapse, each with its own signs.

1. Emotional Relapse

People aren’t initially open to the idea of a return or use of drugs or alcohol. Although they may not remember what happened the last time they drank or used, their minds are still sharp enough to be able to recall the consequences and decide not to do it again. But, this could lead to signs of behavioral warnings such as:

  • Repressing and preserving emotions
  • Self-isolating
  • Skipping therapy or meetings
  • Refusing to participate in meetings
  • Poor nutrition and poor sleep habits

2. Physical Relapse

The likelihood that someone will act on their urges is higher if they don’t have the right coping skills, or neglect to use them fully. Relapse occurs at the last stage, which most people associate with the return to drug or alcohol use.

Relapses can be as simple as one use, followed by the realization of the error. Others may last for any length of time.

3. Mental Relapse

Someone in recovery may experience the mental signs of relapse after a period of poor self-care. You may feel dissatisfied with your progress and discontented in your disintegrating routine. A person who doesn’t have a routine and structure is more likely not to use it again.

One person might start to make a list of pros and cons to justify using again, and then be unsure if they will use it again. Only those in recovery can recognize signs of mental relapse.

  • Feeling the need to consume alcohol or drugs?
  • Excessive thinking about people and places, or things that are related to former uses
  • Glamorizing and minimizing the effects of past use
  • Lying and bargaining
  • Developing ways to “control” future use
  • Look for ways to use
  • Planning for a relapse?

What to do in the event of a relapse

Failure is not synonymous with relapse. It is helpful to think of addiction relapse as a relapse in another chronic condition. The individual must seek treatment to get back on track. 

Most people require some sort of detoxification or withdrawal management to overcome withdrawal symptoms. Residents might need to be treated for a long-term or severe relapse. Those with previous experience with a treatment program may prefer outpatient therapy. The person will need to identify the reasons for their relapse and learn how to prevent it from happening again.

How to Deal With Triggers in Addiction Recovery

Recovering from addiction and other issues is not possible without avoiding triggers. It’s impossible to avoid all your triggers, but it’s possible to have a relapse if you run into one while going about your day. Here are some of our favorite coping strategies.

1. Keep a support system

Recovery is not a journey you must take on your own. Maintain a strong support network. You could have family, friends, sponsors, or other members in your addiction recovery group, just to name a few. You need to feel at ease calling these people if you have a trigger or need help preventing relapse.

2. You can distract yourself by taking these steps

Distraction is another benefit of our technology-dependent society. Distract yourself from triggers in the wild. You can distract yourself by playing a game on your phone, YouTube, or social media until the trigger is gone.

This distraction tactic could be perceived as rude when you are out in public. Don’t. Taking care of yourself and avoiding triggers that could cause a relapse is not rude.

3. Talk to Yourself

If you are faced with a trigger in your day, self-talk can be a powerful tool. Talk to yourself rationally instead of allowing the trigger to take control. You can explain to yourself that you are aware of the trigger and that you are taking steps to eliminate the situation.

4. Relaxation is a practice

Many people find stress a trigger. It’s easy to fall back into addiction when things get complicated. Instead, learn to relax and be comfortable in all situations. It’s not enough to prevent stress from triggering your brain; it can help you improve your mental and physical health by decreasing the stress you are experiencing every day.

Reinforce Recovery at Hathaway Recovery

Hathaway Recovery is a holistic addiction treatment center that has years of experience. It provides patients with the tools and support they need to recognize and reduce triggers for substance abuse recovery. 

Hathaway Recovery can help you navigate the road to recovery. We are here for you every step of the way. Contact Hathaway Recovery luxury rehab today to learn more about the evidence-based, personalized approach to addiction treatment.  Contact us online.

Testimonials

  • Excellent treatment center. Hathaway put on the road to recovery, I been sober 2 years today! Thank you Dena and staff members!

    Mike M.
    star
  • Hathaway has saved my family. Before we found Hathaway my daughter was suffering with addiction however once we came to this facility the staff took her in and she felt comfortable and by a couple months she was ready to come back home fully recovered. Thank you Hathaway Recovery for saving her and thank you for the wonderful staff.

    Gabby H.
    star
  • First I’ll start by saying that, this facility is absolutely beautiful! A couple years ago my husband Tony attended Hathaway Recovery in Claremont Ca. While Tony was in residential he received every care needed for a successful recovery. Also, he was able to enjoy the home gym at the beautiful Hathaway home, it’s basketball court, pool and etc. which made his stay even more pleasant. I am forever grateful for the man Tony has become ever since his completion. He has two years clean under his belt and many more to come because of the amazing facility. Thanks again Hathaway Recovery and Staff, Keep Continuing Changing Lives, God Bless Diane and Tony

    Diane K.
    star
  • I came to Hathaway Recovery on court orders stemming from charges due to not taking medications for my mental health. I was fearful of what my future held and what that would look like. I have never been to a dual diagnosis treatment program before, and I didn’t know what to expect. I really didn’t think I had a substance abuse problem but after about 3-4 weeks of group therapy and the counselors here at this facility, I finally realized substance abuse influenced me to not be able to take care of my mental health. With the help of Hathaway Recovery’s team, I was able to build a strong foundation for my recovery that is vital to me and my family. The clinical staff, therapist, case managers, and counselors included, were honest, caring, and really helped me gain the knowledge I needed to build this recovery program and lifestyle. I am forever grateful for the treatment at Hathaway Recovery.

    Transition A.
    star
  • My brother has been addicted for years. All our family gave up on him. Recently, he completed an inpatient residential program at Hathaway Recovery. This place is blessed and so helpful. It’s very luxurious, you feel like you are on vacation at a beautiful resort. Hathaway Recovery staff is very helpful, understanding and supportive. They all helped him to recover and to become a human again and enjoy his life. This place also supports family members and teaches them how to deal with aftercare to prevent relapse. Hathaway Recovery is the place for those who are struggling with addiction. Thank you for everything!

    Beauty D.
    star
  • As a Trauma Informed Therapist I was contracted by Dina , the Owner to provide additional Trauma Informed Counseling. She indicated that she was seeking additional clinical services because her client population were enthusiastic about their recovery and she wanted to provide quality care. Working with Hathaway has been magical. This program does not separate addiction and mental health trauma into separate treatments, This program blends together the understanding that addicts have childhood trauma and have habitually used drugs or alcohol to dull their inner pain., Hathaway Recovery provides highly individual services for each client, including bilingual counseling. This is a program that I am proud to be a part of. Susan Pennington, LCSW – Trauma Informed Counseling Services.

    Susan P.
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery Center is the real deal. They helped me find myself when I was completely lost. After I lost the mother of my child due to a tragic accident. The therapists and counselors truly cared. We made a relationship with each other that was unbreakable. The other clients were awesome roommates and true to me. The house managers were great and the living situations were awesome. If I ever even think about slipping up I’ll be returning. Today I have over one year clean.

    Jimmie R.
    star
  • After searching many rehabs and after spending so much money to useless facilities we finally found Hathaway . From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all the staff and all the residents that made my sons recovery easier from beginning to end.

    Gayane A.
    star
  • Hathaway truly saved my life. I am so grateful to have had an opportunity to go there. I came in at absolute rock bottom, 9 rehabs later and countless sober livings. I can tell you that this treatment center is different then every other one I’ve ever been to.

    Justin J.
    star
  • After running into some trouble with the law, a substance abuse counselor suggested that I check myself into Hathaway Recovery. Hathaway Recovery helped me get my life back together one step at a time. Through discipline, routine, and structure, I can honestly say that this treatment center has helped me tremendously! The staff are very helpful and caring to each person’s needs, and helped me to realize the beauty of living a sober life.

    Josh M.
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery stuff saw potential In me when I couldn’t. They showed me a new way of life, a better life. Coming to Hathaway recovery is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m beyond grateful for everything the program has done for me!

    Gilberto F.
    star
  • Finally, Hathaway is a Treatment Center that offers a holistic approach to addiction. This center offers a safe place, community and a network to grow with throughout your recovery process. They make you feel that you are NOT alone. The leadership has been in your shoes!!! Hathaway Recovery is more than just a temporary fix, it is a foundation, a movement, a family to be a part of.

    Anthony P.
    star
  • One of the best places I have been too! They really know how to treat you and very professional!

    Ashley A.
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery and their staff have been nothing but supportive and understanding throughout our family member’s journey. I truly appreciate all the staff and their hard work. The communication has been great and has provided us a really positive experience. I would highly recommend this facility to anyone looking for a rehabilitation center for themselves or a loved one. Thank you Hathaway Recovery!

    Lilit H.
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery is a very solid, very friendly place. My boyfriend decided to go here and has spent a significant amount of time at the recovery house. They are very good at bringing clients to meetings and on fun outings occasionally! Hathaway is committed to their clients’ recovery and their sobriety and to helping them in any way possible. They go above and beyond for the clients and I definitely would recommend considering Hathaway for your sobriety/recovery.

    Rena
    star
  • Hathaway is a warm caring treatment oriented environment to receive help from various addictions and behavioral problematic issues. The location itself is serene and safe.. I enjoyed the both staff/professional’s and patient’s… It has many services available, a very unique place… I recommend anyone to come and receive long-term treatment here at Hathaway…

    Mia
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery is a very solid, very friendly place. My boyfriend decided to go here and has spent a significant amount of time at the recovery house. They are very good at bringing clients to meetings and on fun outings occasionally! Hathaway is committed to their clients’ recovery and their sobriety and to helping them in any way possible. They go above and beyond for the clients and I definitely would recommend considering Hathaway for your sobriety/recovery.

    Rena
    star
  • “There was no longer any doubt in my mind that I was in the right place for my drug abuse treatment, “Of all the rehabs I could have chosen, I am glad I picked The Hathaway Recovery Support hope respect and care is what i was offered thanks for everything Hathaway recovery you are the best

    Inga
    star
  • Hathaway Recovery is an awesome place the whole staff has been so helpful they are very professional and very nice Hathaway recovery is a great place to get your addiction treated my brother is doing very well there and we are so glad they were very understanding and willing to help him.

    Lisa
    star
  • A very welcoming environment and kind hearted staff that really took care of my relative and cleaned him up. Thanks Hathaway recovery.

    David
    star
  • When your loved one is sick and needs help you look for the best and I found the best for my son thank you for everything you did for him.

    Makruhi
    star

    Hathaway Recovery is an exclusive addiction rehab treatment center in California offering healing recovery from all substances. We’re proud to provide a great combination for drug, alcohol, psychiatric and psychological recovery treatment backed by experts in the addiction treatment field. Our drug and alcohol rehab is built on the cornerstone of care and compassion and accommodates clients and their families from all backgrounds to educate, inform, and create change around substance use disorder. In a secluded mountain hill luxury resort, our facility offers a therapeutic environment and array of clinical modalities to help individuals and their families. Our staff are also multilingual to address the needs of clients from anywhere in the world.



    *100% Private & Fully Confidential form
    I authorize and consent to give permission to Hathaway Recovery to verify my personal data and Health Care Insurance benefits.
    I understand that I have the option to choose various methods of communication( text, email, chat, etc). and I can revoke this permission in writing at any time. I consent to the conditions and instructions outlined in this fully confidential form & privacy policy.

    map

    Insurance Verification Form

    FULLY CONFIDENTIAL

    All treatment inquiries and personal information is always kept confidential.

    By clicking Check Insurance, I acknowledge that I have read and understood Policy and Privacy.

    Private pay and most insured policies (PPO) are accepted. In network with Multiplan, Tricare. Unfortunately, we are not contracted with medi-care, med-ical, med-icad, ieh-p or kaiser insurance and were not able to accept mentioned insurance policies.

    Copyright © 2022 Hathaway Recovery Center · Privacy Policy · Employment Opportunities

    Sitemap HTML | Sitemap XML

    MEMBER OF LEGITSCRIPT MONITORED

    24/7 Help Is Standing By, Call Us Now
    /
    GRANTED FOR
    HIGHEST STANDARDS
    IN ADDICTION RECOVERY