Relapse prevention starts with being able to understand and identify triggers for oneself. Triggers can come from different sources, and what triggers one person may not trigger another. Each person is different and requires unique relapse prevention skills to avoid their triggers and have sustainable sobriety.
Environmental Triggers
Environmental triggers are locations or situations that trigger one to think about substance use. This could be a setting where alcohol or drugs are being consumed. Or it could be a location where their substance use previously occurred like a former living space or a friend’s home.
The best way to stay away from environmental triggers is to not reenter those spaces. Sometimes people cannot avoid it, which is where relapse prevention strategies come in. Relapse prevention plans aim to distract and redirect attention away from substance use and back towards something positive and productive.
Social Triggers
Social triggers can go hand in hand with environmental triggers. Instead of being a location that reminds one of substance use, it’s a person. This can be a former friend that is still in addiction, a social outing where everyone is using drugs and/or alcohol, or perhaps peer pressure from others.
Social triggers can be combated with relapse prevention strategies just like environmental triggers. For example, choosing to bring your own fun mocktail to a party where others will be drinking – giving yourself something to redirect your attention.
Emotional & Mental Triggers
Emotional and mental triggers are internal and may be harder to manage. This type of trigger may be a heightened emotion that would have previously driven one to drink, such as extreme stress or nervousness. Emotional triggers are not always negative, they can also be positive emotions like celebration or excitement.
Mental triggers are a bit more complex. They could be triggered by mental health conditions that are co-occurring. Substance use may be the old way of coping with emotional and mental triggers, but relapse prevention plans actively combat this.
Establish a Relapse Prevention Plan
Relapse prevention plans are necessary for sustainable sobriety that lasts a lifetime. If you or a loved one is struggling with getting sober and staying sober, medically supervised addiction treatment may be the best option. At Sobriety Options, our admissions center is available 24/7 to answer your call for help at any time. Whether this is your first time getting sober or your seventh time, everyone deserves a safe and supportive environment to recover in.
About Sobriety Options
Sobriety Options is open 24/7 to provide support and care for those seeking substance abuse or mental health treatment. A branch of Solution Based Treatment, we serve as a central admissions office for seven different branches throughout Southern California. Our team is able to help you find the best sober living option for yourself or your loved one to help them get the care they need. For more information visit our website at sobrietyoptions.com or give us a call at (855) 485-0071.
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