A person who understands their "triggers" for addictive behavior is much more empowered to avoid a relapse. Here are some common triggers that recovering addicts frequently deal with.
Dealing with alcohol addiction is a lifetime process. A person doesn't just check into treatment and emerge completely sober with no risk of ever drinking again. Breakthroughs in the science of addiction have taught us that people who are addicted to something will be wired to have that addiction for the rest of their lives.
This is why relapses are so frequent for people dealing with drug and alcohol addiction, even after they successfully complete drug or alcohol treatment through drug rehab centers. According to a 2005 study, between 50 to 80 percent of all people experience a relapse after going through addiction treatment. While initially discouraging, these numbers also offer some hope for people who have strayed from their sobriety. Many people who have a relapse feel as though they have let themselves and their friends and family down, and can go into a guilt spiral that makes their situation worse than before they started treatment. Knowing that a relapse happens to the majority of people who go through rehab - and that it doesn't mean you'll never get clean and sober - can actually be encouraging.
One of the most important things that patients learn before leaving a drug addiction center is to watch out for the triggers that might cause them to relapse. Many people begin drinking or using drugs when they go back to their normal lives but don't deal with the unresolved problems that put them into drug or alcohol rehab in the first place. Getting long-term help for unresolved psychological problems is a key to avoiding relapses.
It's also important to avoid falling into the same patterns the person might have had. Drug addiction is cyclical and can be triggered through routine. This means anything from avoiding the people who enabled the person's previous addictions not doing the same activities - even if the activities themselves are harmless.
Nelson Conway is a freelance writer living in Pasadena, Calif. His work has been published by magazines and major online news sites. http://alcoholism.about.com/u/ua/relapse/relapse_triggers.htm
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