Staying proactive by finding new, enjoyable activities and avoiding overwhelming feelings is an effective way to combat boredom. Engaging in fulfilling activities that replace substance use can help you stay on the right track and maintain your sobriety. When a person takes drugs or alcohol, the brain’s reward circuit is activated, Drug rehabilitation resulting in abnormally large amounts of dopamine. Various circumstances can trigger a relapse and it can be helpful to be aware of your triggers, to recognize and manage them.

Negative Emotions

The holidays also represent a break in routine that can influence a person’s desire to use a substance. When you see a doctor or mental health specialist, let them know that you are in recovery. Insisting on non-addictive prescriptions and alternatives to medication can help eliminate a potential source of triggers. Strong emotions can feel dangerous when you haven’t learned how to sit with them without escaping. Many people in recovery report that it wasn’t the craving for the substance that caused a relapse—it was the need to get away from how they felt. This post will explain relapse triggers, the most common types, and how to spot them before they catch you off guard.

Does My Health Insurance Cover Treatment?

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. Many situations may be high-risk for one person and fine for another.

Sex and Drug Addiction Recovery

With the guidance of experienced professionals, these plans offer strategies for behavioral change. This blog explores relapse prevention, strategies for avoiding triggers, and coping mechanisms to manage urges of repeat negative habits. Friends can be a huge benefit to you throughout the recovery process. But there are typically two kinds of friends who may https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-stages-and-treatment/ be external triggers for drug or alcohol use. Individuals develop new thoughts, feelings and behaviors while using substances. These may include shutting family off, denying issues or justifying substance use.

This dual approach ensures that triggers are uncovered from every angle. Once types of relapse triggers identified, the treatment plan includes customized strategies to neutralize these relapse risks. Rehabs that allow couples help partners identify these environmental risks and develop a shared plan to address them. This may involve relocating, changing routines, or finding new social circles supportive of sobriety. In rehabs that allow couples, therapists help identify both shared and individual triggers while teaching tools for managing or avoiding them. The goal is to equip couples with strategies to maintain sobriety as a united front.

• From stroke rehabilitation to substance use disorder treatment, get the expert insights you need.
• A relapse may consist of one single use followed by a realization of the mistake, while others may last any length of time.
• Believe it or not, some of the closest people to you can trigger a relapse.
• While relationships can be fun, new and fresh, it’s more important to focus on yourself.
• Mindfulness involves being aware of thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and the surrounding environment without judgment.