After undergoing a painful experience with withdrawal and detox and undergoing continuous therapy for a serious behavior disorder, you can understand why drug addicts suffer from a great quantity of stress. After all, besides the physical and psychological pain, they have to live in fear that (perhaps for a time) they may sink back into that dark cesspool that swallowed them up a while ago. Needless to say, the lives of alcoholics and drug addicts are never easy and will not continue to be, as long as the fear of those drugs are hanging over them. So, imagine the severity of a situation where the person starts taking their poisonous substance once more, in a situation called a “relapse.” So, what specifically drives a person to drink or take drugs again, especially if they have been doing so well over the course of their treatment? Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information.
Defining a “Trigger”
Simply put, “triggers” are elements of a person’s environment, social life, or emotional state that serve as reminders of their past drug addiction or alcoholism. As a result of these cues, a person can take one or two large steps backward into relapse. Furthermore, cravings can act as springboards that can unleash these triggers. Unfortunately, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40% to 60% of people who undergo rehabilitation suffer from substance use disorder relapse.
External Triggers
Overall, external triggers constitute people, locations, objects, events, or activities that are directly associated with abuse or addiction. Fortunately, individuals in a rehabilitation program can easily stay away from these particular problems. However, once outside again, they should always be at the ready to fight these stimuli. Interestingly, NIDA explains how some external triggers can bury into the brain as subconscious cues, meaning a person can be influenced by a person, place, or thing and not even be aware these stimuli are triggering them.
Internal Triggers
Obviously, internal triggers are far more difficult to manage than external triggers for the simple fact that these cannot be wiped away so cleanly. Internal triggers constitute thoughts, emotions, or sensations that remind the drug addict or alcoholic of their dangerous habits. At a study at the University of Michigan, scientists determined that the amygdala (the emotional center of the brain) had a huge impact on internal triggering mechanisms connected to addiction.
Always remember that alcohol and drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or addiction troubles today.
