Skill development such as stress management, interpersonal skills, and self-care practices can strengthen one’s ability to resist the urge to relapse. Again, the support of friends and family can be paramount in preventing relapse. It’s important for such people to be educated on the process of recovery, as well as the risks and warning signs of relapse. Their ability to monitor their loved one in recovery can be crucial in preventing a relapse. Also critical is building a support network that understands the importance of responsiveness. Not least is developing adaptive ways for dealing with negative feelings and uncertainty.

Four Main Triggers For Relapse In Recovery

These cues are more commonly known as “triggers,” and they may manifest in completely different ways from person to person. Numerous studies have shown that mind-body relaxation reduces the use of drugs and alcohol and is effective in long-term relapse prevention [28,29]. Relapse-prevention therapy and mind-body relaxation are commonly combined into mindfulness-based relapse prevention [30]. To understand the importance of self-care, it helps to understand why most people use drugs and alcohol.

Relapsing into cocaine use

Experts in the recovery process believe that relapse is a process and that identifying its stages can help people take preventative action. Triggers that happen outside of the individual are not necessarily beyond control. There are multiple reminders of substance use in a former drug user’s life, including people, places and things. Asking the right questions and taking the correct steps can enable people in recovery to healthily transition to their normal life without risking a relapse. A study from Marquette University pointed out that stress rendered people in recovery more vulnerable to other relapse triggers. Researchers followed the cocaine use patterns of stressed and unstressed rats and used a low dose of cocaine as a trigger.

Top 10 Common Relapse Triggers

By identifying why a person used, proper safeguards can be put in place to prevent those same triggers from resulting in another relapse. The more an individual knows about their personal triggers and warning signs, the easier it will be for them and their loved ones to recognize any signs of a relapse. A relapse prevention plan, often devised with the help of a therapist, can be an effective tool in ensuring another relapse does not occur. types of relapse triggers While there is no way to guarantee that a relapse will not occur, there are certainly steps for prevention and recovery that can increase the likelihood of a long and successful recovery. Emotional relapse is often the first stage of relapse, and it occurs before someone in recovery even begins to consider using again. The individual usually starts to experience negative emotional responses, such as anger, moodiness and anxious feelings.

List of Triggers for Relapse: Identifying and Managing High-Risk Situations

Moreover, it occurs in identifiable stages, and identifying the stages can help people take action to prevent full-on relapse. Recovering individuals can carry out personal exercises where they make a list of the people, places and things that remind them of their substance-using life. Asking certain questions about external triggers can help prevent relapse.

Professional Support for Triggers

Remember, reaching out for help and support is vital if you ever feel overwhelmed or struggling. Long-term sobriety is possible and starts with taking that https://ecosoberhouse.com/ first step. Emotional awareness encourages you to check in with yourself before taking action, reminding you to stay mindful of your current state.

Their irritation or anger can be the result of being unable or unwilling to seek help and get the situation under check. Sometimes it takes more strength and courage to realize that one may be sinking back into that black hole, admit they are in trouble, put ego aside and buck up to ask for help. Anger and irritation can also be mere cover-ups for feeling scared, embarrassed or ashamed. Too many emotions going on at one time may very easily blow the circuit of sobriety and relapse presents that doorway leading to the comfort of addiction. When the alcoholic/addict has finally committed to living a clean and sober existence, it often times is like a new love affair. I have counseled many clients who spout and pontificate how they have finally realized how important sobriety is.

Emphasizing Emotional Awareness (HALT)

• Moreover, it occurs in identifiable stages, and identifying the stages can help people take action to prevent full-on relapse.
• During a relapse, individuals often go back to their old behavior and experience negative consequences.
• If a person isn’t equipped with effective coping skills or neglects to use them to their full potential, the likelihood of acting on their urges increases.
• One important study examined the effect of visual triggers in people who were former users of cocaine.
• In this section, we will dive into effective ways to maintain sobriety and overcome challenges.