Environmental Triggers of Relapse in Sobriety
Environmental Causes of Relapse
A relapse is when a person uses drugs or alcohol after a period of abstinence or sobriety. Relapse is common in early recovery but not inevitable. There are many reasons for relapse that our high-end rehab is well aware of. Although there are several relapse prevention strategies recovering addicts can use, it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease, and recovery is a lifelong process. Below are some common environmental causes of relapse that you should be aware of if you or someone you know is recovering from addiction.
Why People Relapse
The idea of relapsing can be confusing to some. Why would someone jeopardize months or years of sobriety for one moment? Why would someone go back to square one after working so hard to get sober? As mentioned before, addiction is a disease like any other. It’s characterized by an uncontrollable urge and desire to use drugs or alcohol, regardless of the repercussions. Because this disorder is a disease, that urge never goes away. The person will always live with the memory of how these substances affected them. Though they may want to be sober, some things can tempt them to use drugs or drink again. That’s why relapse prevention is essential. Seaside Palm Beach offers an alumni program among our other treatment programs to continue supporting our patients even after they’ve completed treatment with us.
Common Environmental Factors of Relapse
Below are environmental triggers for relapse that people in addiction recovery often struggle with.
Peers
Believe it or not, there are many friends and family members of addicts that aren’t understanding of the person’s decision to be sober. They may think they’re acting dramatic or weak, which are common stigmas of addiction. Many have lost friends and cut ties with family as a result. Receiving a negative reaction or lacking support from loved one’s regarding such an important decision can be stressful and heartbreaking. If your loved one is in addiction recovery, take the time to educate yourself on the subject so you can avoid being a person who causes stress rather than offers support.
Media
Social media is so common nowadays that we often forget how impactful it is. When making the transition from rehab to everyday life, it’s important to monitor the social media accounts that you follow. One of the most common environmental causes of relapse is seeing and hearing about drugs and alcohol. If you have a family member who likes to post pictures of themselves drinking at parties or clubs, or if you have a celebrity crush who shares a lot about their alcohol or drug use, don’t follow them. Music also falls into this category. Listening to songs about drugs and alcohol desensitizes the mind to these things. The same goes for movies. Watching movies containing drug and alcohol abuse can stir the mind and cause temptation. For a person who’s trying to stay sober, this is dangerous. Our actions and words often reflect the things we feed our minds, so it’s important to be cautious of what you watch and listen to.
Spending Time With Old Friends
Reconnecting or staying in touch with friends who used to do drugs or drink with you is highly discouraged if you’re in recovery. Regardless of your age, peer pressure can still affect you. While you may have been friends with them before, much of that relationship may have been based on your mutual engagement in substance abuse. You’re also in two different stages of life. Trying to stay sober while spending time with old friends you used to get high or intoxicated with is like trying to blend vinegar and water: it doesn’t mix. Hanging out and doing the same things you used to do before rehab is dangerous. It’s important to break the pattern of behavior you practiced when you used drugs or drank. While you can still call or text your old buddies to catch up, spending time with them in person may cause a temptation that can lead to relapse.
Places Where You Used to Use Drugs or Drink
Like spending time with old friends, going to places where you used to do drugs or drink frequently can also cause temptation and trigger a relapse. Memories are everywhere. They’re in the places we go, the people we see, and even in smells. Hanging out at a bar where you often drank or visiting a club where you used to get high and party can bring you down a very destructive memory lane.
Overcoming adversity and breaking an addictive pattern is hard work, but it’s worth it. If you’re battling addiction, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get professional treatment. We offer various luxury drug and alcohol rehab programs at our facility. Patients under our care can receive treatment for their addictions without sacrificing their comfort.
To learn more about the addiction services offered at our luxury treatment center in Palm Beach, call us now at 561-677-9374.
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