Triggers

Relapse prevention is not a matter of willpower.

WHAT IS A TRIGGER?

A trigger is a stimulus which has been repeatedly associated with the preparation for, anticipation of, or use of drugs and/or alcohol.  These stimuli include people, things, places, times of day, and emotional states.

TYPES OF TRIGGERS

Environmental Triggers: Places, people, objects, or situations that are associated with past experiences or behaviors. For example, visiting a bar may trigger cravings in someone recovering from alcohol addiction.

Emotional Triggers: Feelings such as stress, anxiety, sadness, or boredom that can lead to specific behaviors as coping mechanisms. For instance, feeling stressed may trigger a desire to smoke cigarettes.

Cognitive Triggers: Thoughts, memories, or beliefs that evoke a particular emotional or behavioral response. For example, seeing a social media post about food may trigger cravings in someone trying to stick to a healthy diet.

Physiological Triggers: Bodily sensations such as hunger, fatigue, or pain that can influence behavior or mood. For instance, feeling fatigued may trigger cravings for caffeine or sugary foods.

 ISSUES IN RECOVERY: Triggers

An important part of treatment involves stopping the craving process:

  • Identify triggers

  • Present exposure to triggers

  • Deal with triggers in a different way

  • Secondary drug use

  • Internal vs. external triggers

  • “Red flag” emotional states

    • Loneliness

    • Anger

    • Deprivation

    • Stress

    • Others?

ISSUES IN RECOVERY: CRAVING

  • A strong desire for something

  • Does not always occur in a straightforward way

  • It takes effort to identify and stop a drug-use related thought.

  • The further the thoughts are allowed to go, the more likely the individual is to use drugs.

CRAVINGS

Cravings are intense desires or urges to engage in a specific behavior or consume a substance. They often arise in response to triggers and can be difficult to resist or control.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CRAVINGS

Intensity: Cravings are often intense and overwhelming, leading individuals to feel a strong urge to satisfy them.

Duration: Cravings may come and go, but they can persist for varying lengths of time, depending on the individual and the trigger.

Specificity: Cravings are usually directed toward a particular substance or behavior, such as food, drugs, alcohol or certain activities.

TRIGGERS AND CRAVINGS

During addiction, triggers, thoughts, and craving can run together. The usual sequence, however, is as follows:

Trigger —> Thought —> Craving —> Use

The key to dealing with this process is to not allow for it to start. Stopping the thought when it first begins helps prevent it from building into a craving.

MANAGING CRAVINGS

Distraction Techniques: Engaging in activities or hobbies, practicing deep breathing or relaxation exercises, or redirecting thoughts can help distract from cravings and reduce their intensity.

Coping Strategies: Developing healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, exercise, or social support, can provide alternative ways to manage stress and emotions without resorting to unhealthy behaviors.

Delaying Gratification: Practicing mindfulness and delaying immediate gratification can help individuals ride out cravings and resist impulsive urges, allowing time for the intensity of cravings to diminish.

Seeking Support: Connecting with support groups, therapy, or counseling can provide encouragement, accountability, and strategies for coping with cravings in a supportive environment.

THOUGHT STOPPING TECHNIQUES

  • Visualization

  • Snapping

  • Relaxation

  • Calling someone