Five Not-So Obvious Relapse Triggers

No one can tell you what your road to recovery will look like. They can only tell you the experiences of those who have walked this path before you. One person may crave a glass of wine at dinner while another may need a hit before every social gathering. Relapse triggers are as personal as cravings. Most of the triggers are obvious. If you are recovering from alcohol abuse, you may be triggered by the mere smell or sight of alcohol. But you may not expect these hidden dangers and relapse triggers.

Family stress

When you were using, you escaped stress by your drug of choice. If you were always drunk or high, you might not even remember your major stress triggers. Family can be a big one for a lot of people, especially when taken in large doses like at the holidays. Answering questions about your past and future may be a trigger you didn’t see coming because they may affect you in ways you wouldn’t expect. To combat family stress, learn healthy ways to manage your feelings. Meditation, yoga, and exercise are all good outlets for stress. When all else fails, get to a meeting and share it with the room.

Television

Watching tv is a favorite pastime for most of us, but it can present recovering addicts with a hidden source of triggers. You don’t always know what you’re going to see. Although that’s part of the entertainment, you may see something on television that triggers a craving. Try limiting your television time and be careful about the shows you watch. Some are more prone to triggers than others. The news can be especially dangerous for a recovering addict.

Social Media

As you scroll through your newsfeed, you never know what you’re going to see. You may see a nice story about adoptable puppies or a tragic tale of a fatal DUI accident. Just like television, social media can trigger cravings, stress or negative feelings that lead you down the path of a relapse. If possible, give yourself a social media break in early recovery. When you feel it’s time, ease back in slowly.

Romantic Relationships

There’s a good reason why you’re advised to stay away from relationships in the first year of sobriety. Getting involved with someone before you’re ready is one of the biggest dangers people unwittingly face in recovery. Wait until you feel strong on your own and aren’t as concerned about relapse. Co-dependency can be a major issue, and many people use new relationships as though they are drugs. Dealing with heartbreak during recovery can also be a major relapse trigger A sponsor can guide you on this area.

Celebration

Just as you turned to drugs as a coping mechanism, you probably also used them to celebrate. Now, whenever it’s time to celebrate in your sober life, you may get pulled back into your old way of thinking. Celebrations can be a relapse trigger because people tend to want to celebrate with things that make them feel good. Alcohol is especially tied to celebrating in our society, so this is most problematic for recovering alcoholics. Job promotions, weddings and anniversaries are all hidden triggers for anyone in recovery. You can’t avoid celebrations altogether, nor would you want to, but you can find healthier ways to celebrate. Find a non-alcoholic beverage to toast with or suggest taking a friend out for coffee instead of drinks. I enjoy tonic water with lemon.

The most difficult triggers to manage are the ones you weren’t expecting. You may not even realize their effect until it’s too late. Learn to look for the warning signs of relapse, including depression, irritability and lack of structure, and get help if you think you’re on the verge.

Safe Haven Recovery is a boutique Florida Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center located in Miami, FL. We specialize in Suboxone Maintenance & Suboxone Detox, along with Couples Addiction Treatment. Call us today at 866-447-4650.

About the Author

Matthew Koenig is a freelance writer and principal of Last Call Marketing which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, SEO and Social Engagement. Concentrated in addiction recovery, Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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