The summer months can be especially harder for newly recovered individuals, as relapse triggers tend to be heightened during this time.

Summertime includes parties and barbeques with friends and some fun in the sun. That being said, drugs and alcohol can be present at a lot of these events. Your strength can really be tested during these moments. It’s how you react and work through challenging situations that will make you stronger than ever. There are common relapse triggers during the summer that all recovering addicts should become aware of. The treatment experts from Banyan Treatment Center explain how you can avoid these triggers to stay on track. Recovery is a lifelong journey that will inevitably come with ups and downs, and navigating through the hard times will be a part of the process.

Attending a Summer Party with Drugs and Alcohol Present

If you are attending an event with people you trust and are supportive of your recovery efforts, you may think that you won’t have to worry about any triggers setting you off. However, if there are drugs and alcohol present, this can bring about memories and spark the trigger to relapse. Being in a toxic environment may outweigh the people there, and we suggest that you remove yourself from this situation immediately. Your friends and family members who are already supportive of your journey will understand that this is not a safe and healthy place for you to be spending your time. This will certainly preserve your recovery efforts must be preserved.

Hanging Out with the Wrong Crowd

Summer activities can include meeting new people, and if you start to surround yourself with negative influences, your sobriety can be in danger. People who are unaware of your recovery can offer you drugs and alcohol, as well as make you feel pressured into these unhealthy behaviors.

How to Avoid Relapse

If you have a lot of free time this summer, it’s important to spend your time wisely to prevent a relapse. Make yourself busy by engaging in healthy hobbies, such as exercising or spending time with supportive friends. The more active you are, the less time you have to think about drugs and alcohol. It’s important to find a healthy outlet to relieve stress on a daily basis. Stressful situations can lead to drug use, and this may be the perfect time to take a sober vacation that can help you regroup and stay on track.