Understanding and Overcoming Addiction Triggers
As you move forward with addressing addiction issues, you will encounter triggers. This little word covers a lot of ground. A trigger can be anything that causes the brain to believe a “read” in the form of alcohol, drugs, etc., is on the way. Triggers can be related to and associated with memories or encounters with individuals, sensory input, emotions, or geographical locations. If it elicits a reaction that makes you want to slide backward, it’s a trigger.
Below, you'll see that triggers fall into a few categories. These include internal, external, physical, emotional, and more. Again, anything that causes you to crave is a trigger and must be overcome.
Understanding Addiction Triggers
As the name implies, internal triggers are typically related to emotional and behavioral factors. Such factors create discomfort, and the reflexive reaction to discomfort is to seek a way to relieve it. In the case of an addict, the relief they seek usually involves substance use.
Common Internal Triggers
Regret
Shame
Anger
Depression
Stress
Guilt
Anxiety
Grief
Feeling unsafe or insecure
Feeling like you are being attacked and judged
The negative self-talk provoked by all of the above
Common External Triggers
These triggers run the gamut from people you know (including family and friends) to places you’ve been (including your home). It can be even more abstract, as in encountering a particular type of living situation that reminds you of where you were when you started using. Anything that gets the attention of your senses —sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste — can be the spark that shifts your mindset. Keep in mind that this can include what we all understand to be gut feelings and bad vibes.
The take-home message is to not underestimate the diversity and potential power of the triggers in your life. Your diligence and self-awareness are your most powerful weapons.
Overcoming Addiction Triggers
External or internal stimuli have a harder time triggering someone who is grounded and resilient thanks to self-care. Some of the most universal, effective, and enduring coping mechanisms to cultivate have been and remain:
A healthy balance of activity and rest
Daily exercise
Regular sleep patterns
Healthy eating and drinking choices
Staying hydrated
Stress management tactics and techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, etc.
Getting involved in healthy hobbies and interests
Creating and leaning on a personal support system
Connecting with formal support groups
Practicing self-compassion
On that last note, you must develop ways to accept that overcoming addiction is not a quick fix. It’s a bumpy road that will challenge your self-image. When you embrace self-compassion, you learn to treat yourself as you would treat a loved one. Your internal monologue cannot be hypercritical and judgmental. Rather, you want to talk to yourself with encouragement as you celebrate all victories, big and small.
When you commit to all of the above, it goes a long way in reframing the negative thought patterns that make you more susceptible to being triggered. However, there are two big points to remember, and here they come.
Relapses Are Common but Not “Failures”
Relapses are not rare. This is not permission to expect it or surrender to hopelessness. Instead, why not look at it like any other pursuit in your life? Whatever challenge you’ve taken on, there have been ups and downs. Understanding that relapse can happen but does not mean you’ve failed is one of the most important points of discernment you can develop. Addiction is categorized as a chronic condition. Therefore, it requires you to have an in-the-moment view along with a big-picture perspective.
Getting the Help You Need and Deserve
The second point is simple. Recovering from addiction is not a solo act. If you want to learn more about addiction therapy, I urge you to reach out and connect soon.