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Relapse Triggers

You can achieve recovery from substance misuse and addiction. But relapse is a part of the process for most young people who eventually meet their substance-related and other life goals. At ARMS, our ongoing recovery support will help you prevent and manage relapses by making you aware of your triggers, giving you tools to avoid them, and getting you back on track if you do relapse.

Our Recovery Coaches take a unique hands-on approach that means being an active part of your life. You will not only have regular meetings at our office or by phone. We will also send you frequent text messages, so you always feel supported.

Should you have the urge to relapse, we are there to help you stay committed to your recovery. If you relapse, we never blame you or punish you. We help you learn from the experience and continue moving towards your goals.

Tame Your Triggers

Recovery isn’t just about giving up alcohol and drugs. It also means thinking about your goals and values and making sure they will lead you to achieve the kind of life you want to lead. But first, you must become aware of the behaviors and activities – or triggers – that go against your new goals and values.

For example, if you always used drugs or alcohol on Friday nights, and often missed work on Saturday mornings because you were hung over, you need to find new and positive ways to enjoy yourself on Friday evenings, such as going to see a movie or having dinner with friends who do not use substances.

Our Recovery Coaches will text you to encourage you to make these changes. We will also help you to identify and sidestep your triggers.

Here are some common triggers and tips for how they can be avoided:

  • Money: You might find it difficult to resist the urge to use if you have extra money in their pocket. We recommend carrying only $5 at a time, and leaving your ATM card at home, to avoid such temptation.
  • Friends: Spending time with the people you once used with is a common trigger, especially if they still use drugs or alcohol. It is painful to cut ties with friends. But finding new friends can be an important step in your recovery process, especially in the early stages.
  • Media: Our culture is full of ads for alcohol, and many popular films and TV programs feature characters that indulge in alcohol and drugs. Limit your exposure to these images, so they will not tempt you to use.
  • Stress: Many people begin using drugs and alcohol because they don’t know how else to deal with it when they feel upset or disappointed. Seek new ways to handle stress, such as meditation, exercise or journaling.