For those in addiction recovery from alcoholism and drug abuse, the ability to recognize what triggers a relapse is a vital turning point on the road to sustained recovery. An addiction trigger can be as simple as walking past a bar or as complex as talking to your boss over the phone when a project is past due. Usually, certain situations stir up emotions and a craving or desire to use will begin. Because we are all wired uniquely, understanding your personal triggers is important.
We’ve put together a list of common triggers in order to help you discover your own. (If you have a loved one in recovery, this list might help you identify the times your support is most vital.)
- Negative emotions – Anxiety, depression, loneliness, fear and sadness
- Lack of sleep - Allowing yourself to become rundown, diminishing your ability to cope
- Family tension - From a simple disagreement with a sibling to complex issues of parenting
- Holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. … even Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
- Marital or relationship problems – lack of affection, arguments, tension, separation or divorce
- Death – The death of a loved one and the difficult process of grieving
- Boredom – A lack of healthy activity and stimulation
- Job issues – From pressures on the job to job loss
- Celebrations – Any happy event that would previously have dictated toasts and shots with friends
- Certain times of day – Unique for individuals, but may be getting off from work, right before bed, dinner, etc.
- Locations – Certain restaurants, certain cities, certain homes
- Individuals – Specific friends, family members, coworkers
- Seeing others drink/abuse drugs – Being in the same room with people who are consuming alcohol or taking drugs
- Being medicated – Any substance–no matter how innocent, such as cold medicine for a runny nose–could be a trigger or potentially impair coping skills (Discuss every medication honestly with your physician before determining its benefits–even common over-the-counter meds.)
As you can see, a lot of things can be triggers for relapse for someone in recovery. Your list may be longer or shorter, but it’s important to explore your triggers. With proper support from a 12-step group, AA or rehabilitation counselor, you can learn how to avoid or respond to these triggers and overcome the urge to use that may follow.
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