Four Main Triggers For Relapse In Recovery

types of relapse triggers

In addition to the mindfulness practices outlined above, apply what you learned in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people how to identify and process triggering situations or events. A missing piece of the puzzle for many clients is understanding the difference between selfishness and self-care. Clinical experience types of relapse triggers has shown that addicted individuals typically take less than they need, and, as a result, they become exhausted or resentful and turn to their addiction to relax or escape. Part of challenging addictive thinking is to encourage clients to see that they cannot be good to others if they are first not good to themselves.

  • Taking quick action can ensure that relapse is a part of recovery, not a detour from it.
  • Emotional awareness encourages you to check in with yourself before taking action, reminding you to stay mindful of your current state.

Practical Ways To Avoid Common Relapse Triggers

types of relapse triggers

There may always a part of a person that wants to use again, which is why addiction is considered to be a chronic condition. As this phase of the relapse process progresses, direct thoughts about using eventually arise, and at this point, it’s very difficult to stop the process. When someone dealing with addiction decides they are going to use, it’ usually just a matter of time until they do it. People can relapse when things are going well if they become overconfident in their ability to manage every kind of situation that can trigger even a momentary desire to use. Or they may be caught by surprise in a situation where others around them are using and not have immediate recourse to recovery support.

Managing triggers: Relapse prevention plan

types of relapse triggers

Long-term drug use creates an association in the brain between daily routines and drug experiences. Individuals may suffer from uncontrollable drug or alcohol cravings when exposed to certain cues. The cravings act as a reflex to external or internal triggers, and this response can even affect individuals who have abstained from drugs or alcohol for a long time. These subconscious responses and cues from the brain are particularly dangerous for people in recovery, as they reinforce the desire to use drugs or alcohol without the person even being aware of it. The researchers concluded that avoiding people, places and objects that recall former substance abuse is crucial to maintaining recovery. To keep emotions from causing a relapse, people in recovery need to learn coping skills to avoid triggers that can be discovered through therapy.

Common External Relapse Triggers

Recovering individuals tend to see setbacks as failures because they are unusually hard on themselves [9]. Setbacks can set up a vicious cycle, in which individuals see setbacks as confirming their negative view of themselves. Eventually, they stop focusing on the progress they have made and begin to see the road ahead as overwhelming [16]. Clinicians can distinguish mental relapse from occasional thoughts of using by monitoring a client’s behavior longitudinally. Warning signs are when thoughts of using change in character and become more insistent or increase in frequency.

  • It reflects the difficulty of resisting a return to substance use in response to what may be intense cravings but before new coping strategies have been learned and new routines have been established.
  • Important milestones such as recovery anniversaries are often seen as reasons to use.
  • Relapse prevention group activities can be a cornerstone in the journey to recovery.
  • Armed with such knowledge, you can develop a contingency plan to help you avoid or cope with such situations in the future.

Signs of Relapse

Each relapse presents the potential to fall back into continuous abuse, which can lead to serious health problems and even death. Sudden changes in the way someone in recovery is acting often precedes a relapse. This may be evidenced by increased isolation and avoidance of one’s sober support system.

How can I avoid future relapses during my recovery journey?

They feel they are doing something wrong and that they have let themselves and their families down. They are sometimes reluctant to even mention thoughts of using because they are so embarrassed by them. Helping https://ecosoberhouse.com/ clients avoid high-risk situations is an important goal of therapy. Clinical experience has shown that individuals have a hard time identifying their high-risk situations and believing that they are high-risk.

Strategies for Relapse Prevention

Physical pain, whether it be chronic pain or pain from an injury or physical illness, can be a powerful relapse trigger if you’re not adequately prepared to manage it. At this stage, working toward avoiding triggers or high-risk situations in which relapse could occur is critical. Therapy may focus on identifying high-risk situations and learning ways to avoid them. It may also involve normalizing occasional thoughts and relapse, and learning methods to let go of them quickly.

Relapse Prevention Treatment at Discovery Institute

  • Self-care is difficult because recovering individuals tend to be hard on themselves [9].
  • It is a common experience that airports and all-inclusive resorts are high-risk environments in early recovery.
  • Recognition and avoidance of potential triggers will be a key part of any recovery process.
  • When the alcoholic/addict has finally committed to living a clean and sober existence, it often times is like a new love affair.
  • Remember, seeking support and professional help from addiction rehab services near you is a positive step towards healing and a healthier, addiction-free life.

Through self-reflection, Jane discovered that certain social situations, particularly parties or gatherings where alcohol was present, posed a high risk for relapse. With this knowledge, she developed a relapse prevention plan that included avoiding such events, engaging in sober activities, and reaching out to her sponsor for support. Jane also focused on cultivating healthier coping mechanisms like exercise and mindfulness to manage stress and emotional distress. Actively identifying and managing her triggers allowed Jane to successfully maintain her sobriety and thrive in her recovery journey.

types of relapse triggers

Identify Triggers

types of relapse triggers

In late stage recovery, individuals are subject to special risks of relapse that are not often seen in the early stages. Clinical experience has shown that the following are some of the causes of relapse in the growth stage of recovery. Relapse triggers are social, psychological, and emotional situations and events that may lead an addicted person to seek out their substance of choice and ultimately relapse.

types of relapse triggers

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