Watch Out for These 5 Addiction Triggers
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Mental health and addiction relapse triggers can be internal, such as emotion-based triggers, and external, such as those brought on by sights, smells and locations. Addiction relapses are similar in that the individual needs to seek treatment to get back on track. To overcome withdrawal symptoms, most people need some form of detoxification orwithdrawal managementservice. A long-term, internal and external triggers severe relapse might require residential treatment, while people with prior experience in a treatment program may do well withoutpatient therapy. Whatever the course of treatment, it will involve the person identifying the reasons they relapse and learning what steps to take to prevent it in the future. It’s not always easy to avoid being around substances of abuse.
What is the internal trigger?
Internal triggers are the thoughts and feelings that a person has that can cause a desire for drugs or alcohol. While we may tend to think that negative feelings lead to relapse, it's important to acknowledge that both positive and negative feelings could be a trigger.
She started her professional writing career in 2012 and has since written for the finance, engineering, lifestyle and entertainment industry. Sonia holds a bachelor’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. A study of rats by the University of Michigan found that the rats largely preferred rewards that triggered the brain’s amygdala, part of the limbic system that produces emotions.
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If you or someone you love is having trouble maintaining their sobriety, it is not too late to get help. Substance abuse left untreated, can lead to horrible consequences and even result in death. Relapse is often part of the process, and there is no shame in admitting that you need more help.
To avoid relapse, it is important to understand the risk factors and causes that typically lead to relapse. Understanding these risk factors will help you to avoid the potential risk of relapse during or following recovery. Learn about some common triggers that raise the risk of relapse and how they can be avoided.
Addiction Treatment for a Loved One
Just the sight or smell of the substance can create deep, hard-to-stop thoughts of using. It’s possible for any external trigger to happen without you being aware of the event that caused it. For example, visiting a family member’s home may make you uncomfortable, but you don’t know why. Years later, you may work with a therapist to uncover the abuse that occurred there. Many situations may be high-risk for one person and fine for another.
An internal trigger is something going on inside our minds or bodies that promotes the urge to relapse. Whereas external triggers are defined as people, places and things; internal triggers generally fall under hunger, anger, loneliness or fatigue. A relapse trigger, whether internal or external, is something that sets off cravings in recovering individuals. Failure to address and maintain these triggers during the recovery process only serves to increase the risk of relapse.