subject: Helpful Pointers To Prevent Addiction Relapse [print this page] People who are fighting alcohol or drug addiction sometimes find themselves yielding to the temptation of taking the substances again. When discouraged, these people destroy their own hope of a life long recovery.
People who have been in drug rehabilitation programs should have the knowledge on how to prevent triggers that may cause the relapse. They must learn how to deal with the situation that may cause their struggles and pitfalls of becoming addicted again.
Caution
Relapse triggers include the people, feelings, places and situations that the person can associate about utilizing drugs. It is essential that the person prevents these factors if he can. Seeking help from a counselor or support group will be beneficial during this stage. Counselors could give helpful guidelines on how to deal with the triggers and surpass the temptation of abusing the substance.
Vulnerability
After discharged from drug treatment programs, recovering addicts are exposed to different triggers which may lead to relapse. They could be working in an establishment selling alcohol and other addictive substances. They could see their former friends suffering from substance addiction. They could be tempted when they see prescribed medicines that could give them "high feeling". Even stories about addiction could be triggers for them. It will take time and energy on the part of the recovering addicts to adjust to the new surrounding they have after the treatment.
Stress
People prefer to become addicted to alcohol or drugs in order to forget a sad situation, stress or trauma. They use the drugs not for the purpose of being addicted but when they repetitively do this, addiction will happen again. Recovering abusers who encounter the same situations may remember how these substances comforted them in the past and may find comfort to use these addictive substances again.
Fighting Triggers
It is recommended that addicts facing the dilemma should flee from the triggering factors. When faced with a tempting situation, get out of it, take a walk and remember how you fought against for your sober life. It is not easy to do this when you are living with people who are addicted to the substances you are hooked before. Anything that will remind you of your life as an addict and may urge you to take drugs again must be prevented. Getting away from the tempting situations, places and people is the only way.
You need to bear in mind that it is your aim to get rid of the addictive substances all your life. Don't let anything ruin your efforts.
