Coping with Cravings and Triggers

One of the most challenging parts of recovery comes after treatment. You will be in touch with the society that once influenced you into a certain addiction. Your sobriety depends on how you’re able to handle your surroundings, trying your best to avoid triggers/cravings. Let’s check why cravings exist and how you can better manage them during recovery.

What are triggers?

Triggers are social, environmental, or emotional stimuli that could remind a person of their past situations with addiction. Triggers, when activated, may result in cravings. There are internal and external triggers to watch out for. Failure to address these triggers can cause a relapse.

Internal Triggers

Internal triggers revolve around our emotions, thoughts, and feelings. It is the inability to accept uncertainty, and internal triggers are harder to resolve because you have to battle with yourself. Listed below are some factors that may trigger a relapse. 

Depressing Feelings

Negative feelings such as anxiety can cause a massive emotional imbalance in a person that can lead to depression.

Positive Feelings

Although, being happy is not bad, the context of why are you happy is important. For example, you are in a celebratory state where alcohol and other addictive substances are present. This environment might bring about memories you may associate with past experiences with your addiction. Remind yourself those positive feelings will only result in self-destructive ways. Even, being bored can trigger a relapse, make sure to fill up your days with productive activities.

External Triggers

External triggers include people, places, and situations. Create a plan to change the cycle of everyday life. 

People

Being thrown into the world as a renewed person, choose your companions wisely. Someone closest to you before may give you the most reason to relapse, it is best to avoid them as much as possible and be open to others who can help you with your journey.

Places

Certain places bring back memories that you must avoid. A place that is calm and relaxing is better for you.

Situation

Situations like parties are a bad idea for a recovering addict. They do nothing but reinforce and encourage past behaviors. It is advisable to decline and not attend parties. Right now, your main goal is to help yourself in recovery.

Make yourself a priority

Acknowledge your worth as a person by prioritizing yourself, it is one of the most fulfilling aspects of recovery. Do something you want, eat something you want, something that will make you happy and satisfied, anything but substances. 

Be Healthy

Being healthy requires a person to be physically, mentally and emotionally fit. Exercising releases endorphins that allow a person to be happy. This is a great way to fight stress which is one of the biggest factors in relapse. Start a balanced diet, eating nutritious food and staying healthy. All these things are great ways to be healthy in sobriety.

Limit your stress

Understandably, stress is everywhere, but limiting it will help you with your cravings. Cravings exist when you feel stress because most addicts will use a substance in order to deal with stress. Limiting stress and finding new ways to deal with stress can allow a person to live a fulfilling sober life.

Speak to someone 

Communication is essential for anyone who needs help. Talk to someone who supports you and assures you that you can make it. Having someone who believes in you will give a boost to your mentality. Talk to your therapist, who undoubtedly knows how to handle anything that is going on with you.

Think about the consequences

If you start craving substances again, think about the consequences of your actions. Is it worth it? Is it something to be proud of? Surely, it’s not worth it, so reevaluate your actions.

Scottsdale Recovery Center and Arizona Addiction Recovery Centers created by Cohn Media, LLC. www.cohn.media