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. SENSORY TRIGGERS are related to the senses of sight, sound, taste, and touch. internal and external triggers They might include certain styles of music or specific songs, or the taste of a drug. For example, powdered sugar or artificial sweetener, which resembles powdered drugs, can be a powerful trigger for people who used cocaine, methamphetamines, or heroin.

Types Of Addiction Relapse Triggers

It is more difficult to deal with internal triggers than with external ones. For example, they may not be able to control their thoughts or how they feel. It is easier to avoid a particular person or situation than to avoid feeling angry, sad, or depressed.

Understanding Internal and External Addiction Triggers

This state of mind is dangerous because it encourages bad health practices that can eventually lead to a full-blown 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. The stressed rats’ responses to the trigger mirrored those of people during relapse. Gatehouse Treatment would like to help you overcome your relapse triggers. We propose you take a moment to learn about how addictive triggers can impact your life.

Normal Feelings Trigger Relapse

• In last month’s post, we looked at ways that our rational brains can sometimes get hijacked by our emotions.
• Although it is important to increase your awareness of your triggers, doing so can cause some distress.
• The Marquette researchers stated a stressed animal previously exposed to cocaine will crave the drug because the dopamine surge from cocaine trumps the release of stress-related dopamine.
• Awareness of potential triggers and reaching out to your support system when needed can help overcome the challenges posed by reminders of past use.
• The trip, the suitcase, or the prospect of being alone are the triggers here and derail what could have been a calm moment of connection as the couple prepared to spend time apart.

By understanding your triggers, you can take steps to stay away from them and manage relapse triggers more effectively. A good example of mental health triggers occurs in people with post-traumatic stress disorder. In this mental health disorder, a person may relive experiences and traumatic events when they hear a specific sound or walk into https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-stages-of-alcoholism/ a room where the trauma occurred. Awareness of these risks and proactive communication with your treatment team and support network can help manage relapse triggers during major life changes. By developing adaptive coping skills and practicing self-care during transitions, you can continue on your path to recovery and avoid setbacks.

• There’s no way to prevent fireworks from occurring or certain words from being spoken around you.
• First, know that experiencing triggers in recovery is not a sign of failure.
• You may also respond to certain people or events in ways that don’t seem normal.
• Fireworks back home may trigger an emotional response because the fireworks sound like gunshots.

This includes substance use disorders, eating disorders, and anxiety. Addiction relapse triggers in drug and alcohol abuse recovery are quickly becoming a major concern for inpatient and outpatient treatment addicts. Substance abuse triggers are internal and external cues that cause a person in recovery to crave drugs and often relapse or lapse. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

• People may feel unsafe or threatened and, as a result, may react by panicking, trying to escape the situation, crying, acting out, or becoming defensive.
• Internal triggers act in reverse, associating these signals to the substances that elicit them.
• An internal trigger is something going on inside our minds or bodies that promotes the urge to relapse.
• Triggers that come from within you can be difficult to deal with because internal triggers can stem from a variety of sources that you can’t simply remove, like you can an external trigger.
• These addiction relapse triggers can vary from person to person and can be incredibly powerful, leading to an increased risk of addiction relapse.

Create healthy habits

• These may include shutting family off, denying issues or justifying substance use.
• Staying proactive by finding new, enjoyable activities and avoiding overwhelming feelings is an effective way to combat boredom.
• A person’s strong reaction to being triggered may come as a surprise to others because the response seems out of proportion to the stimulus.
• In recent experiences, drug and alcohol abuse after practicing abstinence, heightens an individuals chances of overdosing.

Exposure to Substances