Health

How to Manage Mental Triggers During Addiction Recovery

AddictThere are many steps to take for those who suffer from addiction and are on the road to recovery. One of the most common challenges of overcoming addiction is learning how to manage different triggers that occur from time to time to avoid relapsing. To manage triggers and get through cravings, there are a few important tips to follow for long-term success.

Avoid Testing Yourself

Avoid putting yourself in certain locations or situations where you’ll be tempted to indulge in alcohol or drugs after you’ve become clean. Don’t attend a holiday party if you know alcohol will be served, which can make it easy to lose self-control and convince yourself to have a drink. You’ll also want to avoid driving or walking by certain areas where you used to pick up drugs or visit local bars, which can make it easy to feel nostalgic for certain feelings or highs that you experienced with your addiction. Avoid putting too much trust in yourself and don’t take risks to ensure that you can protect yourself from common mental triggers that will develop. Although triggers are normal, it’s important to avoid them at all costs to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Understand Your Personal Triggers

Each person who suffers from an addiction can have triggers that are unique to who they are. Evaluate your personal triggers and what causes you to relapse, which can include walking by a local bar or spending time with a friend who you used to use drugs with. You’ll need to make a list of the triggers and figure out ways to avoid them to ensure that you can stay on the right track and avoid getting lured into temptation.

Avoid Stress and Anxiety

According to thefix.com, stress and anxiety can make it easy to begin using again due to an inability to manage and cope with the emotions. You can avoid stress and anxiety by working a low-stress job or by practicing meditation each day. You also want to schedule quiet time each day to slow down and reflect on your feelings.

An easy way to reduce your stress levels is to avoid spending time with people who are prone to creating conflict or drama in your life. Make it a point to surround yourself with individuals who manage their lives well and have positive mindsets to ensure that you can follow their example and benefit from their relaxed demeanor.

Move Residences

It can be easy to give into your temptations with mental triggers that occur due to the environment that you live in. It’s important to avoid moving back into the same home where you used drugs for an extended period of time, according to addiction.com. Returning to a dysfunctional setting or a place where you’re isolated can make it easy to succumb to the triggers and have daily reminders of your addiction.

Avoid Overextending Yourself

After recovering from an addiction once you’ve completed your time in a drug rehab center, you’ll likely want to sponsor other people and help them on their road to recovery in the local area. Although you’ll have accountability with another addict, overextending yourself can make it easy to relapse by assuming that you can remain clean if you help enough people with their own addictions. Pace yourself and avoid taking on too many responsibilities to ensure that you can manage your life well and avoid feeling out of control with your schedule.

Turn Off the TV

According to addiction.com, watching television is an easy way to waste time and enjoy a mindless activity that can make you vulnerable to triggers. You may see a commercial or a television show that tempts you and allows you to run into problems. Avoid mindless activities that are often distracting, which can include spending too much time on social media or surfing the Internet.

by http://www.thephoenixrc.com/

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