How to Identify and Remove Addiction Triggers

How to Identify and Remove Addiction Triggers

How to Identify and Remove Addiction Triggers

Addiction triggers are important to overcome. Read on for more information on how to identify and remove addiction triggers.

Keyword(s): Addiction Triggers

Most people who have never suffered from addiction problems seem to think that the process of overcoming addiction is just a matter of quitting and moving on. This couldn't be further from the truth; in fact, nearly 85% of all addicts will relapse within their first year of treatment. 

Relapses are common and you shouldn't beat yourself up too much over them, but one way to avoid them altogether is to identify your addiction triggers and try to avoid them. 

What Are Addiction Triggers?

A trigger is anything that can bring back any feelings, memories, or thoughts of a particular addiction. Part of your addiction treatment will be to help you recognize and avoid these triggers. 

Triggers can be either physical or mental, and they're not just experienced by people who are getting past addiction to substances. Addiction triggers can also occur for people trying to overcome food or gambling addictions, or any other kind of addiction.

Addiction Trigger Examples

The particular triggers you experience will depend on your specific experience of addiction, and the circumstances surrounding your addiction. That being said, here is a list of some common triggers for people overcoming substance abuse.

  • Drug paraphernalia 
  • Going to an area you used to pick up drugs from 
  • Movies or TV shows that depict drug abuse 
  • Certain songs 
  • Seeing old friends from when you were addicted 
  • Specific Smells

It's not always things as obvious as that. Sometimes certain feelings and situations can morph into addiction triggers for you. These include things like:

  • Stress
  • Feeling of rejection
  • Grief
  • Getting fired
  • A relationship ending
  • Family troubles 
  • Loneliness

Remember that these lists aren't exhaustive and your triggers will be personal to you. During your time in rehab, you'll learn how to recognize your own personal triggers and how they affect your recovery. 

What to Do Once You Know Your Triggers 

If you already know what your triggers are, then congratulations, you've fought half the battle already. But once you know what your triggers are, you need to be able to take some action to avoid relapse. 

Well, it depends on what stage of recovery you're at. When you're in early recovery, the best thing that you can do is avoid your addiction triggers altogether. It will keep you out of any compromising situations during the most difficult stage of recovery.

When you're a little further down the road to recovery, and you've got a few chips to your name, you can start to manage your exposure to your triggers and find your threshold for tolerating them. 

Celebrate Your Recover Success 

Addiction triggers are one of the biggest causes of relapse. Try your hardest to avoid them so that you can stay on the path to recovery. If you manage to do that, then you can continue to celebrate a clean life. 

If you or a loved one is on the road to recovery, then grab a recovery chip today. Chips are a great way to mark your progress through AA or any other similar recovery program. You deserve to celebrate the small victories along the way.