Recovery from addiction is a transformative journey that teaches you a lot about yourself and how you relate to the world. While the recovery process brings hope and a chance for a better life, it's important to acknowledge that relapse can be a part of this process. 

Relapse refers to the return to substance use or addictive behavior after a period of abstinence. It is not a failure on your part, and it is not an indication that treatment was ineffective. Instead, relapse shows that you still have more work to do, and that changes may need to be made to your aftercare plan. 

The good news is that many people who relapse go on to achieve long-term sobriety. Like other habits that are hard to break, such as biting your nails or smoking cigarettes, it can take multiple attempts to recover. A big part of being successful in this process is understanding and recognizing your triggers. 

What are Substance Use Triggers? 

Substance use triggers are specific cues, situations or stimuli that can cause you to re-engage with drugs or alcohol. These triggers can vary from person to person. For instance, a certain smell or song may take you back to the days of using drugs or drinking alcohol. This can cause you to start fantasizing about substances, putting you at risk for relapse. 

By recognizing your triggers, you can build a lifestyle that is more protective. You can avoid certain people, places and things, as well as have plans to deal with unexpected cravings that turn up. While you can’t control everything that happens, you can create a life that avoids many of your triggers. 

Keep in mind that cravings do not mean you want to return to substance use. Drugs and alcohol change the way the brain works, and these cravings are part of the process. It can take several years for drug cravings to get better, but you’ll have a lot of help along the way in the form of medication-assisted treatment, therapy, counseling and holistic therapies. 

As you move forward in your recovery and your brain re-balances itself, you’ll be better able to tolerate triggers and the cravings that come with them. Cravings are not permanent, and they will disappear if you don’t give into them. The key is to identify your triggers and have ways to manage them. 

Internal vs External Triggers 

Triggers are often negative experiences, and they can lead to relapse. There are two main types of triggers: internal and external. Internal triggers are thoughts and feelings that make you crave drugs or alcohol. Emotional lows are most commonly associated with triggers, but even emotions like wanting to celebrate positive life events can cause cravings. 

External triggers are situations and events that make you want to use drugs or alcohol. They come from the ‘outside’ rather than the ‘inside’. Examples of external triggers include stressful or uncomfortable situations, being around people or places associated with past substance use or even home and work obligations. 

Most Common Relapse Triggers 

Triggers have a powerful effect on a person in the sense that they draw up memories of past drug and alcohol use. Because the brain is still healing from addiction, it ends up associating drugs and alcohol with positive emotions and forgets the harm they caused.

It’s important to have tools and strategies for managing triggers, otherwise they can lead to the impulse to use a substance again. Relapse is a process and not an event, so seeing a person or place won’t automatically cause you to return to substance use. However, if you don’t learn to recognize and manage your triggers, it can start the relapse process. 

Here are the most common substance use triggers to be aware of: 

Emotional triggers 

Emotions play a significant role in addiction and can be powerful triggers for relapse. Feelings of stress, sadness, anger, loneliness or even happiness can lead you to seek solace or escape through substance use. 

Emotional triggers can arise from various sources, such as relationship conflicts, traumatic experiences or simply the ups and downs of daily life. Developing healthy coping mechanisms, such as therapy, support groups or mindfulness practices, will help you manage these triggers more effectively.

Environmental triggers

Our environment can significantly impact our recovery journey. Places, people or situations associated with past substance use can reignite cravings. This is why it’s recommended to avoid social settings or revisiting places from your past drug- or alcohol-using days, especially in early recovery. 

Identifying and avoiding high-risk environments, building a supportive network and engaging in alternative activities can help reduce the impact of environmental triggers. 

Social triggers 

Social triggers involve interactions with certain individuals or social groups that influence addictive behavior. Peer pressure, negative influences or even well-intentioned friends who unknowingly enable substance use can disrupt recovery. 

It's essential to surround yourself with a supportive network of individuals who understand and respect your commitment to sobriety. Engaging in support groups and cultivating healthy relationships can provide a sense of belonging and strengthen your resilience against social triggers.

Negative emotional states 

Negative emotional states, such as boredom, frustration or low self-esteem, can increase vulnerability to relapse. Seeking instant relief or distraction from these feelings through substance abuse may seem tempting. 

However, it's vital to explore healthier alternatives like mindfulness, journaling or exercise. Developing a range of coping strategies will empower you to manage negative emotions constructively, reducing the risk of relapse.

Overconfidence and complacency 

One often overlooked trigger for relapse is a false sense of security that can arise during recovery. As you progress in your journey and reach significant milestones, it’s possible to become complacent and underestimate the potential for relapse. 

Overconfidence can lead to a relaxed attitude towards triggers, ignoring warning signs or neglecting self-care practices. While we’re not suggesting you live in fear, it is important to be vigilant, stay connected to supportive resources and actively engage in relapse prevention. 

Seek Professional Outpatient Services in Pennsylvania 

Recovery from addiction is a complex process that requires you to understand the most common triggers for relapse. This way, you can develop strategies to manage and overcome your triggers. Also, remember that relapse does not equate to failure but rather highlights areas that require further attention and support. 

Recovery Cove is a drug and alcohol drug rehabilitation program that offers convenient outpatient services. We can help you maintain your recovery and bounce back from a relapse through services such as medication-assisted treatment, individual and group therapy, aftercare and more. Contact our team 24-hours a day to learn more about our outpatient services.