Being new in recovery can be a time full of hope and optimism. That is, until triggers kick in and threaten the new life you’re trying to build for yourself. Anyone and everyone in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse will experience addiction triggers. It’s just a common factor in the journey. While the idea of experiencing triggers can be nerve-wracking, as long as you have the right plan set in place, you can prevent relapse and stay on track. Below are some common types of triggers and how to cope with them.
What Are Triggers In Addiction?
In simple terms, a relapse or addiction trigger is anything that brings back thoughts, feelings, or memories of drug or alcohol use and/or makes the person crave using or drinking again. Triggers can happen for people who are in recovery from substance abuse, as well as for people who have been addicted to gambling, sex, food, and other types of behaviors. Oftentimes, triggers lead to cravings for specific behaviors, or in the case of substance abuse, for a specific substance.
For instance, a person in recovery from alcohol use disorder may experience cravings for alcohol whenever they come across a trigger. Cravings refer to intense desires for something, such as a craving for something sweet. In the case of addiction recovery, however, experiencing triggers and cravings increase the risk of relapse, so it’s important to be prepared.
Common Addiction Triggers and Cravings
Since drug and alcohol use are just as mental and emotional as they are physical, a person can come across a trigger that makes them experience an emotion they may have coped with through substance abuse in the past. For instance, a person who started drinking after the death of a loved one may experience alcohol cravings when they watch a movie where someone dies or if another loved one were to pass away.
Triggers often stir up emotions, thoughts, and feelings that the person may have drowned with alcohol or drugs in the past. If the individual hasn’t properly coped with these feelings, then they’re more likely to be easily triggered. For this reason, aftercare addiction therapy can be a huge game changer for someone new to sobriety.
Identifying your triggers is the first step toward learning how to properly deal with them to keep relapse at bay. Some common triggers in recovery you should be aware of include:
- Seeing drug paraphernalia
- Using the ATM to withdraw cash
- Seeing cold beer at the convenience store
- The smell of alcohol or another drug
- Seeing someone else use drugs or drinking
- Seeing people you used to get high with or drink in the past
- Driving through neighborhoods where you used to buy and/or use drugs
- Certain smells
- Movies or TV shows that depict substance abuse
- Negative thoughts or emotions
- Events or situations where using drugs or drinking alcohol is encouraged, such as parties
Anything from running into an old friend who introduced you to drugs to attending a party on New Year’s Eve can be a trigger to use or drink. In addition to external addiction triggers, certain situations can bring up uncomfortable feelings, which could act as triggers:
- An argument, breakup, or divorce
- Boredom
- Family problems
- Financial problems
- Getting fired
- Getting passed up for a promotion at work
- Loneliness
- Past or current trauma
- Stress
- The death of a loved one
No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to escape all triggers for the rest of your life. But you can do things to keep a trigger from turning into a relapse. Identifying your triggers is just the first step.
How to Cope With Triggers in Addiction
As the saying goes, “Knowing is half the battle.” When you know what your triggers are, you can come up with a battle plan for properly coping with them. Here are a few easy steps you can take to cope with addiction triggers and prevent relapse:
Maintain mindfulness
When you become aware of what you want to use, the first thing to do is maintain a presence at the moment. Remember that something is making you want to use it, and seek out what the source is. Identifying your enemy is the first step to fighting it.
Get help
Instead of bottling up the desire to use and trying to ignore it, reach out to someone and analyze the trigger. If you’re at a party and you feel you want to use it, call your counselor, sponsor, or someone from your support group. Having someone to talk to who wants to help you through this desire to use can make a big difference. We also recommend attending 12-step meetings consistently, as they allow you to connect with a sponsor if you haven’t already and offer peer support and guidance.
Learn from your triggers
Once the trigger has passed without you using it, go back and look at the situation, how you were feeling, and all the details you can remember. After you’ve identified the trigger, you can take steps to avoid those triggering situations or circumstances.
Change small, unhealthy habits
When you take the necessary steps to care for your mind and body, you’ll be less vulnerable to the physical and emotional triggers that could lead to cravings. These steps include drinking plenty of water every day, getting a good night’s sleep, spending time outside for at least 30 minutes every day, implementing a self-care routine, and spending time with loved ones. These simple steps could help you feel better physically and emotionally, making it less likely that you’ll desire to use drugs or drink.
Underestimating Your Triggers Can Lead To Relapse
Never underestimate the power of a trigger. A trigger isn’t always just a craving that you want to use. A trigger can feel like a full-blown need to use. Some of the worst triggers can come from our minds. Misery, self-loathing, and depression can take away your will to recover or be sober at all.
But triggers of the mind can be addressed, too. Maybe it’s time to contact your doctor to look into depression medication or, if you are already on it, change your dosage. Maybe sticking to an exercise regimen will help keep your mood more regular. No matter how severe the trigger, there is always something you can do to fight it.
Addiction Treatment and Relapse Prevention
If you haven’t entered recovery yet, or have suffered a relapse, seeking drug or alcohol treatment can get you on the right path. Banyan Treatment Centers offers multiple levels of care for people looking to beat addiction.
For more information about our Pompano Beach drug rehab programs and how we can help you or a loved one get sober, call Banyan today at 888-280-4763 or send us your contact information, and we’ll reach out to you!
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