How to Deal with Addiction Triggers in Recovery

It is the final stage of the relapse process, following emotional and mental relapse, and represents the culmination of unresolved feelings, thoughts, and cravings. Physical relapse may begin with a small lapse, such as “just one drink” or a brief return to an old habit, marijuana addiction but can quickly escalate into a full-blown return to previous destructive patterns. Mental relapse can be dangerous because it increases the likelihood of a physical relapse if not addressed promptly.

How to Identify and Avoid Common Relapse Triggers

In fact, relapse can begin weeks and sometimes even months before an individual returns to substance use. This understanding is essential in helping individuals recognize the early warning signs of relapse and develop coping skills to prevent the process from progressing further. Mental health professionals can provide techniques and therapies that help individuals understand their triggers and develop coping mechanisms.

The role of peer support groups in long-term recovery

If you are facing chronic pain, reach out to your recovery center, if you haven’t already. They may be able to connect you to healthcare services that help people address chronic issues in ways that are safe. Finding new ways to deal with chronic pain may be an essential way of managing this relapse trigger. Rather than try to address each types of relapse triggers individual one, a helpful strategy may be to develop healthy ways of dealing with stress in general.

Types of Relapse in Recovery: Understanding the Risks

Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area. We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser. Talk to a sponsor, counsellor, or supportive friend about it to help focus on why recovery is chosen.

• Effective emotional regulation techniques linked to HALT might include mindfulness meditation, journaling, or physical activities like yoga.
• When emotional resilience is low, individuals may seek relief through substances as a form of self-medication.
• While we may tend to think that negative feelings lead to relapse, it’s important to acknowledge that both positive and negative feelings could be a trigger.
• These strategies include therapy and skill development, medications, and monitoring.
• Addictions can be triggered by internal and external factors that involve a craving for the addictive action or substance.

Technology Tools for Trigger Management

This blog aims to explore the topic of triggers within addiction, but first, it is vital to understand the process of addiction. Addiction is a complex and often misunderstood disorder that affects individuals from any background, culture, or demographic and can be caused by a wide range of triggers. Campus Health at UNC-Chapel Hill remains an in-network provider for those with a Cigna health insurance plan. UNC Health recently announced that effective Dec. 1 they are out of network with Cigna; however, Campus Health is not a UNC Health entity and is not affected by this change. For some, a trigger might cause a physical response – heavy breathing, sweating, crying. For some, a trigger can elicit an emotional reaction, like thinking “I am being attacked.” For some, a trigger can cause harm or a relapse.

Substance Use Treatment

Our personalized approach focuses on empowering individuals to recognize and manage their triggers effectively. This may vary from person to person and be influenced by things such as extent and length of use. Talking openly about a lapse or relapse with a care team can help you develop and strengthen your relapse prevention plan and identify how to get back on track with your recovery goals. It can begin with an emotional relapse, followed by mental and then physical relapses. Awareness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be indicators of where someone is and what they may need regarding recovery.