Across the country, thousands of teens use drugs and alcohol each day. Some people may begin to use substances in an effort to manage an underlying mental health condition. Conversely, some teens turn to drugs or alcohol when their friends or family members pressure them to do so. Regardless of the reason that you or a teen you know began using substances, it’s vital to understand the substance use triggers. Once you understand these triggers, you can learn to manage them in the future at a teen substance abuse treatment program.

If you have undergone a successful recovery, avoiding relapse is critical as you do not want to return to your troubled past. As such, you may want to focus on maintaining sobriety. Seeking assistance from the right people can help you overcome triggers of substance abuse. Emotional, environmental, and social circumstances can remind a former drug user of past experiences and create the need for support from the experts at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®. If your teen is battling triggers for addiction, contact our substance abuse treatment center today at 828.519.5047. We can help you better understand substance abuse treatment for teens.

What Is a Trigger For Substance Use?

The word “trigger” is commonly used to describe something that has a strong, negative psychological effect on a person. Anything can serve as a trigger: people, places, things, and even smells. What all triggers have in common is the effect they have on the person.

Many mental health challenges are associated with triggers. For example, a veteran who developed PTSD after deployment in a war zone might be triggered by the sound of fireworks.

The following are common triggers for substance use:

Places

Some places can be risky for former drug abusers because they act as reminders of what they used to do before deciding to quit. A memory connection may occur when you visit the areas you used to drink or abuse drugs, including bars, concerts, neighborhoods, and hotels.
To prevent relapse, use different routes where you will not meet with dealers and former friends who are still indulging in dangerous habits.

Things

Objects surrounding your daily life can lead to drug and alcohol cravings. For example, if you were using spoons to consume heroin, the piece of cutlery can trigger those memories. Empty pill bottles, movies, magazines, and some paraphernalia are common triggers of substance use.
Several studies reveal that reformed substance abusers can revert to their old ways after exposure to objects related to drugs.

Situations

When you are unsure of your self-control, avoid situations that can force you to indulge in illicit drugs. People undergoing addiction treatment may find it challenging to attend celebrations and parties where alcohol is available. If such situations can contribute to your relapse, avoid going to stick to your goal of maintaining sobriety.

People

The people closest to you can trigger cravings, leading to a gradual relapse. Surrounding yourself with people who use substances or do not support your recovery journey can cause a relapse. Some people may even offer you drugs and alcohol. Influences can come from neighbors, spouses, family members, employers, co-workers, and drug dealers. These people may not know the dangers of exposing you to drugs and substances.

Internal Triggers

Substance abuse triggers can also come from the inside. Internal triggers of substance use can be more difficult to avoid since they consist of emotions, thoughts, and feelings linked to the habit. When an internal trigger occurs, it may result in undesirable behaviors that can compromise your recovery journey. The cues can contribute to an intense urge for the substance you were using.

Be aware of emotions like anger, nervousness, irritation, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, stress makes you more vulnerable to a relapse. While it may be impossible to avoid some circumstances, try to apply the skills learned in rehab to cope.

The Importance of a Relapse Prevention Plan

In most cases, it is not feasible to avoid all of your triggers. It’s often a wise decision to attend a treatment center that will help you develop a relapse prevention plan. This plan will help you recognize the symptoms that indicate that you might relapse. You can then follow your relapse prevention plan, which ideally can prevent a return to using drugs or alcohol. For instance, your relapse prevention plan may include:

• A list of people who you can turn to if you’re afraid you may relapse
• Physical lists containing your triggers and a reaction to these triggers that can prevent relapse
• A list detailing the disadvantages of using drugs or alcohol and the advantages of remaining sober
• A complete schedule of recovery group meetings that you commit to attending
• Steps you can take to make and maintain healthy habits

It’s vital to remember that relapse doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. Addiction is a chronic disease. In other words, it is a condition that you will have to manage for the rest of your life. However, with support and a relapse prevention plan, it is possible to overcome this disease.

Managing Your Teen’s Triggers

Substance use triggers tend to lessen over time. If a teen receives the support they need to build a strong foundation in early recovery, they’ll gradually find it easier to deal with triggers. Eventually, triggers become rare rather than frequent.

Relapse prevention is a central element of our teen treatment program. If your teenage boy needs support with managing substance use triggers, Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® can help.

Get the Help Your Son Needs Today From Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®

Substance use disorders affect millions of people in the US. Don’t let addiction destroy your teen’s life. Remember that your son can receive much-needed help at the Foothills at Red Oak. Our experts can teach your teen how to cope with the triggers of substance use to ensure long-term sobriety. Call 828.519.5047 today or use our online contact form to learn more about addiction triggers.