When we get out of treatment and we are beginning to recover from the deadly disease of addiction we have to watch out for relapse triggers. We should know what they are, that they are going to be there, and how to push through. We are always one drink or one drug away from our past. Let’s talk about three of them today.
Racing Thoughts
When we are getting sober in the beginning our thoughts are going to seem like they are going 100mph. We may think that the damage that we have created while in active addiction is not going to go away. Many times we think about what we’ve done to our families and friends, legal issues, work problems; the list can go on and on. First of all this is a normal cycle. What do we do about it? Our first suggestion is to make sure you are talking to someone about what is going on in your mind. The majority of the time it is not as bad as you think.
Over Confident
A recipe for disaster. You hear the words “pink cloud” when you get out of treatment. It is ok to be happy when you get sober and are starting this new life. It is dangerous to think that we will never drink or drug again because we feel this way. We have to know that one day at a time our life will get better. It will only continue to get better provided that we follow the set of guidelines that were laid out to us in treatment and the 12 Steps of recovery.
People, Places, and Things
While you’re in treatment we will constantly remind our patients that staying away from old haunts is imperative to the process of sobriety. Going to bars and clubs, hanging out with people that are still using, and having anything around you that reminds you of addiction are all things that we have to avoid. They also have to be replaced. Being alone all the time isn’t going to solve the problem. Find people in AA/NA that you have something in common with and start your new life.
