Your Recovery Plan: Have You Mapped Out Your Addiction Triggers?

If you’re on a path to addiction recovery and leading a life of sobriety, it takes a lot of inner strength, grit and determination to acknowledge that you need help and get the support you need to start a new life. To continue that positive momentum, it’s also important to put a plan in place to avoid relapse as you carve out a healthier lifestyle that is free from an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

While the cause of addiction is complex, many addiction recovery researchers suggest that it’s fueled by a combination of genetics, and in many instances, environmental and cultural triggers that prompt the addict to use and abuse as a result.

What Is an Addition Trigger?

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is characterized by the power of external cues to trigger cravings and addictive behaviors. These triggers can include a wide range of influences including: exposure to drugs and alcohol, other addicts, toxic relationships and stressful situations.

Though, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be held hostage by your addiction triggers to continue a life of sobriety. By creating a plan that identifies that situations and emotions that you associate with alcohol and drug abuse, you can become more proactive about maintaining a sober lifestyle.

Create an Action Plan to Overcome Addiction Triggers

Don’t wait until you are at risk of relapse. Take a few moments today to identify your personal addiction triggers and make a plan that outlines how you can counteract those influences in healthier ways.

Step 1: Think about your past substance abuse and what caused those cravings?

• What were you feeling?
• What were you doing?
• Who were you with?

Step 2: Consider why those situations or emotions triggered your alcohol or drug abuse.

• Were you trying to numb uncomfortable feelings?
• Did you feel pressured by others?

Step 3: Make a list of healthier ways you can react to those influences.

• If your trigger is stress-related, what can you do to overcome feelings of anxiety?
• If social situations where drugs and alcohol spark your cravings, how can you avoid those high-risk situations?

Addiction recovery is a lifelong process of learning about your personal addiction triggers and developing healthier coping skills. But, if you’re armed with the right support and a relapse prevention plan, you can protect your newfound sobriety and celebrate your Christ-centered life - free from addiction.

Discover Christian-based Addiction Outpatient Treatment and Sober Living

Built on the same spiritual foundations as the inpatient facilities and detox services we offer, the use of outpatient drug and alcohol, mental health or other services can be used to build on the recovery you gained at inpatient rehabilitation, or employed as a standalone method of recovery.

Call Christian Rehab Network today at (877) 310-9545, and we will walk by your side through enrollment, treatment, and recovery.