A specific location, such as a local bar you frequented as a drinker, might compel you to pick up the bottle again. But triggers can be controlled, because after all, triggers are going to unexpectedly present themselves at any random time, so a strategy must be created so that those triggers don’t end up jeopardizing your sobriety.
Triggers can be people, situations, places, and things. A place might be the liquor store or the home of a former drug dealer; a situation could be a celebration, a holiday, or happy hour. A bottle of medication, a half-drank cocktail, an empty pipe. A former drug dealer or an old drinking buddy. All of these issues present potential triggers for using drugs or alcohol again—because those issues bring on symptoms of stress or anxiety. If you are currently not supported, if you don’t attend meetings, or if you don’t otherwise have assistance with mental health, you may be at risk for a relapse.
When You Identify Triggers, You Identify Reactions
While you may not be able to control (all) triggers that you experience, you can at least control your reactions to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be a successful tool in addressing those behaviors and emotions that trigger your substance use disorder.
When you’re confronted with one of your triggers, your mind likely races. Your first instinct is using; your last instinct is logic and reason.
Identifying those triggers will help you to slow down and address what’s really happening beneath the surface. Reflecting upon what you’re actually thinking—where you are—and where you want to be (in recovery, sober) will help you to allow these triggers to slide right over the surface.
