Relapse Risk Factors: Recognizing Internal and External Triggers
If we know they have trouble processing temperature changes and regulating these we need to think about ways to mitigate the impact of these natural variations in the environment. Luckily, there are other ways to cope with exposure to trauma triggers. Seventy percent of adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lives. marijuana addiction Traumatic events can range from witnessing war or violence to experiencing child abuse or neglect.
Physical Pain
Programs such as those offered by Ikon Recovery Center focus on helping individuals identify their unique triggers and develop tailored strategies to manage them. Tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness are frequently used to build emotional resilience and provide actionable coping mechanisms 2. Recognizing the difference between internal and external triggers is just the beginning. At Ikon Recovery Center, treatment programs tackle both types of triggers using a range of approaches. External triggers might be addressed by internal and external triggers examples changing environments or setting boundaries, while internal triggers often require therapeutic techniques like mindfulness or emotional regulation.
What are the different types of triggers in addiction recovery?
- This could include bottles of alcohol, cans of beer, or liquor store advertisements.
- If the routine is “work, snack, garden” then this changes to “work, snack, wait, garden.” The wait may be the setting event of an incident that occurs in the garden.
- The brain registers these stimuli and processes them in the same areas involved in drug-seeking behavior.
However, there are much better ways to deal with symptoms of PTSD that can allow you to continue to live a healthy life after trauma. Boredom can be a slippery slope if you’re not ready to tackle it head-on. In early recovery, boredom and social isolation can be powerful triggers for relapse. When feeling bored, individuals may be more likely to seek out activities or substances that provide temporary relief or excitement, leading to a return to addictive behaviors. Managing internal triggers isn’t always easy—but it is possible, and it starts with understanding yourself on a deeper level. Mindfulness practices, like meditation or even just a few minutes of deep breathing, can help you stay grounded and calm in the moment.
Relaxation Techniques for Trauma Triggers
It’s an external trigger, one of the three main types of behavioral triggers we’ll explore in this article. Although danger is a common element for bringing about PTSD in the first instance, not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous or scary experience. Triggers are a normal part of addiction recovery, but if left unchecked they can lead to a relapse. As a recovering addict or alcoholic, identifying what some of your triggers are and preparing to deal with them can help https://taxi.pila.pl/the-effects-of-alcoholism-on-narcissism/ maintain long-term sobriety. Triggers that happen outside of the individual are not necessarily beyond control.
- For more tips and insights on managing emotions and living a balanced life, follow The Feeling Expert on Instagram.
- Reviewing these entries weekly can uncover connections between your feelings, surroundings, and potential relapse risks 24.
- Next, we’ll dive into how to tackle external triggers, which call for a different approach.
Common Triggers and Causes of Relapse
Combining these techniques can offer holistic support in maintaining sobriety. It is important to consider both the internal and external situations you are in as either can become a PTSD trigger after a traumatic event. If you are unable to pinpoint the trigger of your PTSD symptoms, a close family member or friend may be able to help identify triggers. Although you must work to remove triggers from your life, you cannot protect yourself from all possible people, places, things, and situations.