Common Relapse Triggers

Common Relapse Triggers

Things like cravings and triggers can remain for weeks, months, or even years after your last use, which is why relapsing is common. A relapse happens when you develop a substance abuse disorder after achieving a period of sobriety and abstinence. Overall, up to 60% of people with a substance abuse disorder relapse. So, what are the most common relapse triggers and how do you protect yourself against a relapse?

Addiction and substance abuse disorders impacted more than 20 million Americans in 2017 alone. Addiction is a progressive mental health disease that is chronic, meaning that while the condition is manageable and highly treatable, you have to manage your symptoms throughout your lifetime in order to fully recover.

How Addiction Develops

Addiction starts with your first use, but the stages of addiction can develop over a period of weeks, months, or years. Simply put, it takes time between your first use and dependency. Prescription medications, illicit substances, and legal ones can all lead to abuse and addiction.

Some of the most widely abused substances that can lead to addiction include:

• Opiates, like heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet
• Alcohol
• Methamphetamine
• Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin
• Amphetamines, like Adderall and Ritalin

Drugs and alcohol lead to mind-altering changes that ultimately cause major alterations to your brain chemistry. When you abuse substances, it impairs your judgment, reasoning, and conflict resolution skills. Addiction can also increase your risk of engaging in dangerous or risk-taking behavior, which can lead to damaged relationships, legal problems, and a diminished quality of life.

When you develop a dependency, your brain and body can rely on your substance of choice in order to function. Common signs of dependency and addiction include:

• Using alone
• Using shortly after waking up
• Showing up to school or work intoxicated
• Hiding your drug use
• Regretting things you say or do while intoxicated

What are the Most Common Relapse Triggers?

Relapsing is an unfortunate part of the recovery process. Understanding the most common relapse triggers and how to cope with them is a central part of successfully overcoming a substance abuse problem. While common relapse triggers can vary depending on the individual, most triggers involve people, places, or things that remind you of your substance of choice.

Common relapse triggers can include things like negative emotions, like stress, anxiety, or depression, as well as environments like bars. While it’s impossible to avoid all of the most common relapse triggers, it’s absolutely possible to learn to cope with them in a healthy way.

Coping skills involve implementing healthy ways to deal with triggers. They can include things like working out or listening to music.

Reaching Out for Help Today

When you are recovering from a substance abuse disorder, finding ways to cope with common relapse triggers is a central part of your treatment. Inpatient and outpatient programs focus on providing you with the skills and tools necessary to navigate and protect your recovery. If you would like to take the first step in your recovery and discuss your treatment options, reach out to us today at 717.969.9126.