Addiction relapse is very common for people recovering from substance use disorders. Even after an addiction is overcome initially, 40-60% of people relapse within the first year of recovery. Relapse occurs when someone returns to regular substance use after a period of improvement or abstinence. Knowing the common triggers for relapse can help people in recovery avoid or manage high-risk situations. Here are some of the most common triggers that can lead to addiction relapses.
Stress
Stress is one of the biggest triggers for relapse. Stressors like work pressure, financial struggles, relationship issues, health problems, major life changes, or even the pressure of passing a Lie detector test can make people feel overwhelmed. Their coping skills become compromised, making substances an appealing escape. Learning healthy stress management techniques like exercise, meditation, talking to a counselor, or taking a relaxing bath can help avoid relapsing during stressful times.
Social Pressures
Many people worry about facing social situations without drugs or alcohol. Peer pressure from friends or family who still use substances can challenge sobriety. Important events like parties, weddings, or family gatherings often involve drinking or drug use. Having a relapse prevention plan for these events, bringing a sober friend, avoiding triggers, and having an “out” planned can help get through these situations sober.
Romantic Partners
Romantic partners who use drugs or enable addictive behaviors can also trigger relapse. Breakups and other relationship problems can also cause enough emotional turmoil to lead to relapse. Avoiding drug-using partners and managing relationship issues in healthy ways is important.
Cravings
Cravings for substances never fully disappear, even after years of sobriety. Cravings can suddenly resurface when triggered by sights, sounds, smells, emotions, or thoughts associated with past substance use. Having coping strategies for cravings and knowing they’ll pass is essential. Activities like exercise, calling a sponsor, distracting oneself, and waiting out cravings can help prevent giving in.
Negative Emotions
Feelings like anger, loneliness, shame, anxiety, depression, and boredom commonly lead to relapse. Many turn to substances to cope with unpleasant emotions instead of facing them in healthy ways. Practicing emotional regulation skills, confiding in a support system, journaling, and finding counseling can help process difficult feelings without relapsing.
Boredom
Free time and boredom are a major trigger, especially early in recovery. Idle time gives the mind the opportunity to crave substances again. Staying busy and engaged with work, hobbies, socializing, exercise, and other rewarding activities helps prevent boredom and thoughts of relapse.
Overconfidence
Feeling overconfident in recovery can be a trigger. When people think they have their addiction fully under control, they may get cocky and stop using coping strategies. This opens the door for relapse. Maintaining humility, practicing ongoing recovery work, and never getting too comfortable is key.
Support is crucial for maintaining sobriety after addiction treatment. Intensive outpatient programs provide ongoing support, accountability, and the coping skills needed to prevent relapse. Regular therapy and group meetings help manage triggers, cravings, and emotions in a healthy way during the challenging transition back to everyday life.
By understanding and managing the most common triggers for relapse, people in recovery can avoid falling into past addictive patterns. Having a relapse prevention plan with healthy coping strategies and a support system is the best defense against slipping back into addiction.
