What is a Relapse Trigger?

     Relapse is quite common among people recovering from drugs and alcohol.  After a period of sobriety, people in recovery often experience a relapse trigger.  A relapse trigger is known in the recovery community as people, places, and things.  More specifically, triggers are the people, places, and things that are associated with the substance use. 
     Bars, slot machines, seeing the drug, and smelling the drug are all common relapse triggers.  Sight, sound, and smell can all be triggers. These mentioned triggers are more external, but relapse triggers can also be rooted in an emotion or state of mind.  Anxiety, depression, anger, moodiness, feeling inadequate, or happiness can all be triggers.  Negative emotions are commons feelings triggers, but positive emotions can be a trigger as well. 
      Learning to manage relapse triggers is an essential part of treatment and recovery.  The first step is to recognize specific triggers, and how to manage each trigger.  Teaching relapse prevention skills to a person in recovery is a great way to be smart not strong in recovery.