Drug Rehab

The associations between certain feelings, people, places and events are interwoven with those addicted to alcohol and drugs or drinking behavior. When alcoholics and addicts find their way to recovery, the old associations between drinking and drugs and feel old, people, places and events persist, often causing anxiety drinking or using. When these signals trigger drinking or using memory and perhaps euphoric recall, unless you take measures to prevent cravings and relapse of the injury, remain very vulnerable to the loss of his recovery. These signals are always present, but relapse can be avoided.

It is important avoid external triggers are the most dangerous and which are within his power to avoid it. Many of these would be the most obvious, like going out with drinking age / friends, or go to bars or liquor stores. triggers that can not be avoided can be neutralized. To be prepared and able to neutralize the triggers that are raised, need to be able to anticipate and identify them, then have an action plan about how you deal with them without drinking / using.

Here are the areas that serve as triggers that can set back the urge to drink or use. Use this worksheet to help identify likely risks.

Social and Environmental Triggers worksheet cravings

People

Who are the people you used to drink or use drugs? Make a list.

Make a list of people that could serve as a trigger for relapse. could be extended family members, spouse, girlfriend, children, bosses, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else.

Places

Where was used for drinking or using drugs?

What are the places that could trigger cravings euphoric or remember? Make a list of places they can remember to drink / use or serve as a trigger. Examples might include: bars, clubs, golf courses, parties football and parties, school, work, certain streets, some parts of the city, concerts, pool halls, roads some countries, lakes, backyards.

Events

What kind of events you regularly participate in drinking or using drugs?

What are some of the routine events you can participate in now that could lead to cravings? Make a list of possible trigger-causing events. Examples might include going to the lake and fishing, cutting grass, fundraising events, go gambling, attending music festivals, and others.

Celebrations

What are some celebrations or special events that may take part in that could serve as a trigger for relapse? Make a list. Some examples are: weddings, graduations, birthdays, holidays, vacation (with or without family members).

Other stressful events or activities

Identify other stressful events or activities which could serve as a trigger. Examples might include things such as death of family members, divorce, separation, financial problems, getting paid, getting a raise, calls from creditors, paying bills, group meetings, long hours of work, unemployment, having a child, retirement, home alone, vacation through an ATM, home alone, the search of paraphernalia, a time "to do list.

Relationship events

What kind of relationship events were associated with alcohol or drug use?

Identify related events that could serve as a trigger. Examples may include meeting new people, go on a date, go out with friends after an argument, before having sex after having sex, viewing pornography, family visits, having a baby, separation, divorce, marriage.

Time

When eaten usually drink or use?

Identify specific times of day, week, month or year that can serve as a trigger for relapse. Some examples may be Monday (Monday Night Football), Domingo (preparing to return to work), anniversary date or month of traumatic events, after work, before work, trying to reconcile sleep, waking up at night, and other moments that are meaningful.

Make a plan.

Looking back over your list above, identify actions you can take to reduce the threat to their recovery. What events can be prevented?

What events or situations that may escape if feel vulnerable? How do you empower yourself to escape?

Ex: Practice being assertive with the departure of a risk. Using cognitive therapy to challenge realistic thinking that can keep them from leaving when necessary. Make a plan on how to escape. Example: Drive yourself out, call a taxi, have a AA call list and have someone pick you up.

What can be done to change the way you think or feel when you are in an inescapable position which is causing a desire to use?

Example: Use thought stopping techniques to handle cravings when they occur. Use the phone. Call your sponsor. Call your advisor or someone in AA / NA. Involve someone who is supportive of their recovery in a conversation. Remember that cravings are for temporary and will disappear if not used. Remember that cravings are a normal part of recovery and does not condemn you to failure. Remember that you have the opportunity to decide by acting on their cravings. Think of a wish as a contest between you and your disease. Who will win?

If you or someone you love is in early recovery or trying to establish abstinence, arm yourself with all the education that you need to accomplish it. This is one in a series of articles about preventing relapse in early recovery. My website has a number of other valuable resources for recovering addicts/alcoholics and their families. A “Recommended Readings” page can help point you in the right direction for many topics. I make myself available to answer educational kinds of questions in my “Ask Peggy” column. There are a number of articles roughly categorized currently as “Marriage Articles”, “Sexual Addiction”, “Addiction and Mental Health”, “Family Dynamics of Addiction”.

Whether you are dealing with addiction issues, emotional or mental health issues, relationship issues, or need some additional living skills, my website is available to you. My site is a work in progress with additional features, articles, and resources being added to it on a regular basis. Click here to purchase my ebook, “Understanding Cross Addiction to Prevent Relapse” * http://www.peggyferguson.com/ServicesProvided.en.html

Dr. Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D., LADC, LMFT
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