For more tips and insights on managing emotions and living a balanced life, follow The Feeling Expert on Instagram. Intrusive thoughts or other undesirable thought patterns are often the cause of relapse, particularly among those with diagnosed mental illnesses. Addiction is often the result of those with mental illness self-medicating to reduce the severity or frequency of the symptoms of that mental illness. Education on coping skills can help people manage thoughts of using.

The Ikon Recovery Editorial Guidelines

• High-risk places remind former drug users of the times they engaged in substance use.
• To avoid relapse, it is important to understand the risk factors and causes that typically lead to relapse.
• This reminiscence of times when the addiction was in control is often a sign of the addiction trying to take over the brain again.
• The solution to overcoming this relapse trigger is to learn how to channel your positive feelings in a positive way, without the use of substance abuse.

Many people initially turn to substances as a way to cope with challenging emotions, creating a tough cycle to break. While advertising plays a role in this process, it’s rarely the sole reason for a purchase. Instead, advertisements often act as amplifiers, gently nudging individuals along their journey. They might inspire you just enough to click a link, visit a store or start internal and external triggers researching options. However, the true trigger typically lies deeper, intertwined with psychological and emotional factors.

• If you are in a self-help program, ask for help in a meeting or with a confidant.
• Knowing and understanding how triggers work and being aware of your personal triggers are critical aspects of safeguarding your recovery.

Internal Triggers: Feelings and Thoughts

• An addiction trigger is any stimulus that causes an urge or craving to use substances.
• Whether your triggers are emotional distress or a specific situation, it is essential that you know what compels you to use when trying to lead a life of sobriety.
• For example, if you are someone prone to dwell on stressors, these feelings can manifest in muscle pain, heart strain, and other physical complications.
• Whether they are internal feelings, external environments, or sensory experiences, identifying these triggers early on can make a significant difference in maintaining sobriety.

We suggest participating in group workouts so you can begin forming positive social connections. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, AToN Center offers a unique, luxury addiction treatment experience in San Diego. Having a plan to get through times when cravings are triggered can help avoid relapse. Triggers can be internal or external, and both types can lead to relapse.

• For more information or to start a treatment program, reach out to our team of addiction professionals.
• External triggers involve conditions or environments that can prompt substance use.
• Triggers may seem to be everywhere, and you might want to isolate yourself to avoid them.
• A relapse trigger is a situation—environmental, emotional, social—that drags up memories of past drug or alcohol use.

Negative Feelings

Therefore, if you’re in a drug and alcohol recovery stage,  this environment can inspire you to feel celebratory and want to participate. Internal triggers are emotional or psychological experiences – like specific thoughts, feelings, or memories – that can spark urges for substance use. Unlike external triggers, which are linked to the environment, internal triggers demand deeper emotional work and self-awareness to handle effectively 1. Stress is a potent internal trigger that can significantly impact individuals in recovery. It can stem from common sources like work, personal relationships, financial concerns, and self-imposed expectations.

What Are Relapse Triggers?

When it comes down to situations, everyone handles adversity differently. While some people manage difficult situations with ease, people in recovery can easily slip back into old habits when dealing with new situations. For instance, the death of a loved one can easily trigger a relapse in a recovering addict. Some, people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction feel as though they can’t mix and mingle without the use of substances.

Understanding Addiction and Substance Use Disorder

SENSORY TRIGGERS are related to the senses of sight, sound, taste, and touch. They might include certain styles of music or specific songs, or the taste of a drug. For example, powdered sugar or artificial sweetener, which resembles powdered drugs, can be a powerful trigger for people who used cocaine, methamphetamines, or heroin.

Working out can also add structure to your day, giving you something to look forward to. In addition, exercise can help your body begin recovering from the negative physical effects of prolonged substance use. Exercise is a great way to practice focusing on the task at hand, and you’ll feel good for hours afterward. Mindfulness can take practice, but it can be a valuable tool when handling triggers.

This might involve steering clear of specific locations or individuals that could trigger a relapse. Alternatively, it might require using strategies such as diverting Alcoholics Anonymous your attention, reaching out for help, or engaging in mindfulness exercises when confronted with a potential trigger. For individuals in recovery, navigating through complex and challenging emotions is a significant part of their journey.