Addiction is a complex disease that affects millions of people and their families. Recovery involves more than just stopping substance use—it requires understanding the underlying factors that can lead to relapse. One of the most critical aspects of maintaining sobriety is learning what are triggers in addiction recovery and how to manage them.
Triggers are a normal part of the recovery process. Everyone in recovery will face them at some point. The key is recognizing these triggers early and having the right tools to handle them. At Silver Sands Recovery in Prescott, Arizona, we provide a full continuum of care designed to help you identify your personal triggers and develop effective coping strategies that support long-term sobriety.
Understanding triggers isn’t just about avoiding temptation—it’s about building resilience and confidence in your ability to maintain recovery. With the right support and strategies, triggers can become opportunities to strengthen your commitment to sobriety.
What are Triggers in Addiction Recovery?
In addiction recovery, triggers are specific situations, emotions, people, places, or things that create cravings or thoughts about using substances.1 These cues can be external factors in your environment or internal experiences like emotions and physical sensations.
Triggers work by activating the same neural pathways in the brain that were strengthened during active addiction. When you encounter a trigger, your brain may automatically respond as if substance use is necessary or desirable, even when you’re committed to staying sober.
There are two main categories of triggers:
- External triggers are environmental factors outside of yourself. These might include certain locations, specific people, particular times of day, or situations that you associate with past substance use.
- Internal triggers come from within your own mind and body. These include emotions, physical sensations, thoughts, or memories that create the urge to use substances. Experts believe many people with substance use disorder struggle with internal triggers and emotional cues rather than external triggers.2
Both types of triggers can be equally powerful, and most people in recovery deal with a combination of both. The intensity and frequency of triggers often decrease over time, but they may never completely disappear. This is why developing strong coping skills is essential for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Common Types of Triggers in Addiction
Emotional Triggers
Emotions are among the most common triggers for people in recovery. Strong feelings—both positive and negative—can create powerful urges to use substances. Substances themselves can also lead to heightened emotions that reinforce addiction.3
Negative emotions like stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, and grief are frequent emotional triggers. Many people used substances as a way to numb or escape from these difficult feelings. When these emotions arise in recovery, the brain may automatically think of substance use as a solution.
Positive emotions can also be triggering. Celebrations, excitement, happiness, and success might have been associated with substance use in the past. Some people feel they need substances to enhance good times or that they deserve to “reward” themselves when things go well.
Boredom is another significant emotional trigger.4 Without the structure that substances provided, many people struggle with empty time and the lack of stimulation that substances once offered.
Environmental Triggers
Environmental triggers are external factors in your surroundings that remind you of past substance use. These can be incredibly powerful because they create immediate associations with previous experiences.
Physical locations are common environmental triggers. This might include bars, clubs, certain neighborhoods, a former dealer’s house, or even your own home if that’s where you frequently used substances. Sometimes even driving past these places can create strong cravings.
Specific objects can also serve as triggers. Drug paraphernalia, alcohol bottles, prescription bottles, or even seemingly unrelated items that you associate with past use can create sudden urges.
Times of day or seasons may trigger cravings. If you regularly used substances at certain times—like after work, on weekends, or during holidays—these periods can become challenging even in recovery.
Social media can be an unexpected environmental trigger. Seeing posts about parties, drinking, or drug use can create feelings of missing out or remind you of past experiences.
Social Triggers
The people around you can significantly impact your recovery journey. Social triggers involve interactions with specific individuals or groups that create urges to use substances.
Old friends who use are often the most obvious social triggers. These relationships were built around substance use, and spending time with these people can create intense pressure to return to old patterns.
Family members can also be social triggers, especially if there’s a history of conflict, enabling behavior, or if they continue to use substances themselves. Family gatherings or interactions with certain relatives might create stress or emotions that trigger cravings.5
Building Your Recovery Foundation
Recovery is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another. At Silver Sands Recovery, we understand that personalized treatment is essential for addressing your unique triggers. Our comprehensive approach includes identifying your specific triggers, developing customized coping strategies, and providing ongoing support as you build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety.
Our experienced team works with you to understand the root causes of your addiction, address underlying trauma, and create healthy new habits that support your recovery. We integrate evidence-based therapies with enriching activities like outdoor therapy and golf to help you develop a well-rounded approach to managing triggers and maintaining sobriety.
If you’re struggling with triggers or other aspects of addiction recovery, remember that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Call us today at 928-916-5286 to get started on the path to recovery and discover where your new life begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a trigger in addiction recovery?
A trigger is any person, place, thing, emotion, or situation that creates cravings or thoughts about using substances. Triggers activate the same brain pathways that were strengthened during active addiction, causing your brain to respond as if substance use is necessary or desirable, even when you’re committed to staying sober.
Are triggers the same for everyone in recovery?
No, triggers are highly individual and based on your unique experiences, relationships, and patterns of substance use. What triggers one person may have no effect on another. This is why personalized treatment and self-awareness are so important in recovery.
How long do triggers last in recovery?
The intensity and frequency of triggers typically decrease over time as your brain heals and you develop stronger coping skills. However, some triggers may never completely disappear. The good news is that your ability to handle them effectively will improve with practice and support.
Can positive emotions be triggers?
Yes, positive emotions like excitement, happiness, and success can be just as triggering as negative emotions. If you used substances to celebrate or enhance good times in the past, your brain may automatically associate positive experiences with substance use.
What should I do when I encounter an unexpected trigger?
When you encounter an unexpected trigger, use grounding techniques to stay present. Practice deep breathing, remind yourself of your reasons for staying sober, and reach out to your support system if needed. Remember that the feeling will pass, and you have tools to handle the situation without using substances.
Is it okay to completely avoid all triggers?
In early recovery, avoiding obvious triggers can be an important protective strategy. However, complete avoidance isn’t always possible or healthy long-term. The goal is to build coping skills so you can handle triggers effectively when you encounter them.
How can I help a loved one who is struggling with triggers?
Support your loved one by learning about their specific triggers, avoiding judgment when they’re struggling, and encouraging them to use their coping strategies. Don’t enable their substance use, but offer understanding and remind them of their progress and strength.
What’s the difference between a trigger and a temptation?
A trigger is an external or internal cue that creates cravings or thoughts about using substances. Temptation is the actual desire or urge to act on those thoughts. Triggers can lead to temptation, but having a trigger doesn’t mean you have to give in to temptation.
Can therapy help me identify triggers I’m not aware of?
Absolutely. Professional therapists trained in addiction treatment can help you explore your experiences and patterns to uncover both obvious and subtle triggers. They can also help you understand the deeper reasons why certain things trigger you and develop personalized coping strategies.
What if my coping strategies aren’t working?
If your current coping strategies aren’t effective, it’s time to reassess and try new approaches. Work with a therapist or counselor to explore different techniques. Remember that finding the right combination of coping strategies often takes time and experimentation.
Are there medications that can help with triggers?
Some medications can help manage cravings and reduce the intensity of triggers. These include medications specifically designed for addiction treatment as well as medications that address underlying mental health conditions that may contribute to triggers. Always consult with a healthcare provider about medication options.
How do I handle triggers when I’m around family who still drink or use substances?
This can be particularly challenging. Set clear boundaries about what you’re comfortable with, communicate your needs to family members, have an exit plan if situations become too triggering, and bring a sober support person when possible. Consider family therapy to address these dynamics in a healthy way.
References
- Asensio, Samuel, et al. “What Is the “Trigger” of Addiction?” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, vol. 14, no. 54, 21 Apr. 2020, dx.doi.org/10.3389%2Ffnbeh.2020.00054, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00054.
- Otto, Michael, et al. “Attending to Emotional Cues for Drug Abuse: Bridging the Gap between Clinic and Home Behaviors.” Science & Practice Perspectives, vol. 3, no. 2, Apr. 2007, pp. 48–56, https://doi.org/10.1151/spp073248.
- Koob, George F. “The Dark Side of Emotion: The Addiction Perspective.” European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 753, Apr. 2015, pp. 73–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.11.044.
- Sinha, Rajita. “New Findings on Biological Factors Predicting Addiction Relapse Vulnerability.” Current Psychiatry Reports, vol. 13, no. 5, 27 July 2013, pp. 398–405, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3674771/, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0224-0.
- Kabisa, Eric, et al. “Determinants and Prevalence of Relapse among Patients with Substance Use Disorders: Case of Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Centre.” Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, vol. 16, no. 1, 1 Feb. 2021, pp. 1–12, substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13011-021-00347-0, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-021-00347-0.