Surprising Relapse Triggers

You likely know by now that relapse is a pretty common part of recovery – but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. No matter what stage of your recovery, it’s crucial to stay aware of all the various (and even subtle) ways your brain and body can be triggered.

It takes a long time for new skills and patterns to take hold – so keep your guard up. This is especially important since, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), people often relapse when they feel better and more in control.

Here are a few lesser-known triggers to add to your mental list.

• Lack of sleep. As you begin to get back into work and get more involved with healthy hobbies, you may mistakenly think that you can skimp on sleep to fit more sober fun into your day. Poor sleep makes it hard to focus, make smart decisions and control your emotions. One study found that when people in recovery were treated for insomnia, they had a lower risk of relapse. 
• Overconfidence. Self-confidence is a healthy part of recovery – but overconfidence can be a slippery slope into relapse. After some time in recovery, you may think to yourself that you’re “cured” or no longer need to attend support groups or follow your relapse prevention plan – but this is dangerous thinking. It can lead you to put yourself in risky situations or no longer work your recovery program. 
• Your loved ones. Even loved ones with the best intentions can cause stress in your life, which is why it’s important to examine your relationships at every stage of your recovery. 
• Recovery plans that have “stopped working.” It’s common to discover that the tools and strategies that worked for you during early recovery might not work as well later in recovery. For some, this could lead to relapse. This is why it’s important to continually tweak your relapse prevention plan and recovery plan. 
• Happy events. Any change or big event – positive or negative – can cause stress if you’re not careful. What’s more, during a happy celebration you can easily let your guard down. The key is always having a plan in place for stress management and sober fun. 

Post-Treatment Support for Men & Women
At Haus Recovery, we provide our clients with continued support as they transition from a secure recovery environment to sober life filled with daily stress and triggers. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.