Parties can be huge triggers for drug use. Triggers are anything that causes a craving, and anything can be a trigger to our drug use. A trigger can be:
- Friday nights
- Anxiety
- Boredom
- Fatigue
- Leisurely time
- Loneliness
- Former friends
- Payday
- Sexual arousal
- Stress
Triggers are external stimuli that produce flashbacks and cause a person to re-imagine an event. They are highly personal and are activated through one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. For this reason, everyone in recovery should make their own personalized list of people, places, and things that will increase their risk of relapse. The brain associates trigger with your drug of choice and it’s usage; this is because, over time, drugs reinforce the pleasure centers in the brain.
A trigger is accompanied by:
- Continuous thoughts of your drug of choice
- Psychological dependence
- Strong physiological arousal
- Severe cravings
Learning to say no takes some practice! Here are suggestions about what to do or say at a party, and in different scenarios to refuse drugs:
Accountability – attending sports, musical and other social events with one or more people who support your recovery and will remind you of your goals every time a craving hits.
Practice – recite drug refusal lines out loud to yourself, in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Having a drug free home – let visitors know that your house is now drug free and that drugs are not welcome!
Sober communities hold the belief that you can have fun in many different ways that do not incorporate drug use. Here is how you can party sober:
- Dance (this will keep your mind focused on having fun!)
- Drink mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails)
- Hang out and spend time with other sober people
- Host a sober party yourself
- Join activities that don’t involve drugs or alcohol (darts, bowling, card games, etc.)
- Practice an exit strategy (in case of temptation or being offered drugs)
- Talk to people at the party and make connections
In order to stop a craving, make it a point to control your thoughts. Allowing a thought to turning into a craving is making a conscious decision to use.
At Asana Recovery we understand the obstacles you may face while recovering from these addictions, and we believe that rehabilitation programs are very important in the fight to break the dependency. You can undoubtedly defeat it if done so with the support of the right team. Aftercare and therapy sessions can also help you point out each facet that leads you to addiction, and teach you to build and implement structures that will help you better handle life without it.
The overseen detox programs and residential treatment in California at Asana Recovery are offered in a motivating and inspirational environment. We are committed to ensuring your life long recovery, while leading you down the path to a happier and healthier future. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our highly recommended drug and alcohol addiction treatment in California today!
