As related to addictions, what is the most commonly accepted trigger for relapse?

Answer 1

Probably environment and social situations. Emotional state at the time too.

Answer 2

What a great question! This is one of my favorite topics and areas of study ~ the reason why being apparent below.

With all due respect to jdnmsedsacrasac1, "overconfidence" is not a *trigger*. A trigger is something that puts the addict in the mindset to use, for example: certain music, certain places, certain feelings, and even certain people, that they associate with their drug use.

If your question is asking what is the main reason people return to active addiction rather than remaining sober:

My husband has been working in this field for quite some time (and is an addict in recovery ~ 7.5 years) and one of the first things he did when he started working in this field was to initiate his own personal study by asking those who returned to treatment after being discharged "Why are you back? What made you use again?"

THE number one answer, bar none, has been "Because I stopped going to (AA/NA) meetings; because I stopped working the program."

Another interesting aspect to addiction rehabilitation is that addicts relate better to other addicts. No matter how long one has been clean, whether it's 30 days or 30 years, they're still an addict. Addicts can relate to one another in ways that those of us who are not addicts cannot understand. Accordingly, if they find out that the people working with them (counselors, therapists, etc.) in a recovery program are not addicts, themselves, they have very little faith in any treatment offered to them by those non-addicts because they do not believe the non-addict can fully understand the addict. And they are right.

I don't know the reason for your question, but whether it's for a friend, a loved one, yourself, your neighbor, co-worker, whomever, encourage them to continue attending meetings and working the program.

"It works if you work it; you die if you don't"

Hey, CANDYGRR1: WOOO HOOOOO!! BIG TWO!!!! Happy Birthday! =) WORK IT!!

Answer 3

Environment, genetics, self-esteem and a persons inability to deal with it. The medical field has long known about addictive personality types, and incidentally, I am one. I found out years ago, accidentally, while recovering from surgery, and currently fight urges embedded in my DNA, and my environment. I am the daughter of an alcoholic. I fight for sobriety on a daily basis. It is a fight that I cannot afford to fail, for myself, and those whom depend upon me.

Answer 4

Putting whatever a person is addicted to right in front of them. I believe Oscar Wilde said this: If there is one thing I cannot resist, it is temptation.

Answer 5

In rehab, i learned...H.A.L.T. Hunger, Angery, Lonely, Tired. These four as well as people, places, and things are all triggers to me The BIGGEST one for me though is Angery (and other emotioins: depressed, etc..)

Answer 6

Overconfidence that the addict can use again without another problem arising.

Answer 7

people places and things....
and overconfidence in ability to not get caught up again....low self esteem...lack of determination

Answer 8

if the person is being expose to the substance again, emotional and psychological problem also....

Answer 9

Rejection ..plain and simple.