10 Triggers to Avoid During Treatment

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many things that can trigger drug use even during treatment. Triggers are things that cause you to want to use drugs and to crave them despite being drug free. Most people have their own triggers but there are some things that you want to avoid while you are still in treatment and have not learned to deal with your triggers yet.

1. Stress

Stress is one of the number one triggers for relapse. The stress can be at work, at home, or anywhere else. Once you start feeling pressured, you may want to go back to using because it makes you feel better.

2. Relationships

Relationships are another key trigger. Close relationships such as a girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse affect you more than any other relationship you might have. A breakup because of drug use can also trigger a relapse while you are still in treatment.

3. Being around the Drug or Alcohol

The stress caused by financial problems can make one tempted to relapse.

Frequenting a bar or going to where you formerly used drugs is a very bad idea while you are in treatment. The sights and sounds of the place itself may trigger a relapse if you do not know how to deal with them.

4. Friends you Associate with Drugs or Alcohol

Hanging out with old friends who support you in your treatment is a good thing. Hanging out with old friends who still use drugs or alcohol is not.

5. Financial Concerns

Money destroys relationships, it also destroys sobriety at times. The financial problems created by your drug use can actually cause you to relapse while you are in treatment, particularly if you were once a dealer.

6. Smells Associated with your Use

Smell can quickly trigger memory. A smell of alcohol or a drug can cause incredibly intense cravings and eventual relapse.

7. Places Associated with your Use

If you used drugs at a specific place or home, you should try to avoid the place itself. If you cannot, make sure there is nothing there to remind you of the drug use. Many people have their houses scrubbed of all signs of drug use before returning to them.

8. Family Issues

Infighting and family drug use should be avoided while you are in treatment. If family is a problem, an inpatient treatment center might help you avoid this as a trigger. It is unfortunate when family hinders treatment.

How to go through Drug Addiction Treatment Successfully

9. Forgetting about the Addiction

When you start to feel better, you start to forget the trouble that the addiction caused. Once this starts happening you start to think that you can try just once or that you will be able to control your use.

10. Failure to Seek Help when you Need it

One of the few things that almost always leads to relapse while you are in treatment is if the treatment is not working and you do not reach out for help. If you are craving your drug of addiction or need to find help, call us at 800-256-3490.