7 Common Addiction Relapse Triggers and Warning Signs

We tend to want to believe recovery is permanent once it’s achieved. Recovery is hard work, both for the person who was once addicted and for those who have supported them throughout the healing process. The thought of all that effort and hope being in vain can be devastating.

But it’s important to understand that relapse, while not a desirable outcome, is not a sign of failure, and it does not erase all of the important work done during the initial stages of recovery. Rather, it is simply an indication that more support—and perhaps a different approach to treatment—is currently required to continue the recovery journey.

Relapse can be a huge hurdle to overcome. However, its effects can be mitigated. Relapse can sometimes even be prevented with the aid of friends and family members who can identify addiction relapse triggers and warning signs early on and help their loved one get help as soon as possible and avoid future relapse.

What Addiction Relapse Triggers Should You Look Out for?

Addiction and recovery are not black and white. A person is not cured of their cravings simply because they receive the right treatment; rather, they are given the tools for a proper relapse prevention plan to give them all they need to cope with those cravings and common triggers and continue to resist them during their long-term recovery. For many people, recovery is a lifelong battle and recovery process that never truly ends.

As such, although your loved one may be in recovery, that doesn’t mean they don’t still wrestle with the same thoughts and feelings that fueled their addiction in the first place. While treatment can, and should, help them address these, addiction relapse triggers can be difficult to avoid, and the temptation to use can be equally challenging to resist.

This is where you come in. Understanding your loved one’s particular triggers empowers you to help them avoid these triggers when it’s possible in order to lower the risk of relapse. And for those triggers that are unavoidable, you can help them cope more effectively and lower their risk for relapse more than they might be able to do on their own.

Some common addiction relapse triggers include:

1. Stress. We all have different methods of dealing with stress. A healthy response might be to go to the gym to work it out; an unhealthy response might be to overindulge in junk food. For those who struggle with addiction, substance abuse used to be their go-to source of relief. When things get overwhelming, it can be hard not to return to alcohol abuse or return to drug abuse as a way to escape and have a physical relapse.
2. Easy access. If, say, someone is recovering from alcoholism, going to a bar or keeping a full liquor cabinet in the home could be potential triggers for relapse that are too strong to overcome. The same is true of drugs. It’s not unlike when you sneak an extra piece of chocolate or allow yourself a “cheat” day during a diet when you know you shouldn’t—just imagine those cravings exponentially intensified, and you’ll have a vague idea of what being exposed to drugs or alcohol feels like for a recovering addict in ongoing recovery.
3. Revisiting negative connections. Similar to being exposed to the actual substance they used to abuse, simply being around people or places strongly associated with using can also be a big relapse trigger to those in substance use recovery. Even if the substance itself is not present, the memories alone may intensify cravings to the point of breaking their resolve and cause not just a physical relapse, but a full-blown relapse.
4. Social isolation. While reviving the wrong connections can be a trigger, nurturing healthy human connections is vital to avoiding another important trigger and sign of mental relapse—isolation. Spending too much time alone can trap your loved one inside their own head. Without others to bolster their resolve, they may find it difficult to remember their own reasons for wanting to be well and may lose motivation to stay sober and return to rebegin the relapse process.
5. Illness. While your loved one’s treatment plan should have helped them address whatever underlying mental or physical symptoms or conditions may have been driving or exacerbating their addiction, it is possible that a new mental or physical illness can occur (or recur) following treatment. In such cases, using can seem like an easy way to escape whatever pain is being caused by the condition, be it physiological or psychological (or both).
6. Major life transition. A new job, a new relationship, a new house with a new mortgage to pay—major changes, even positive ones, can trigger anxious feelings as well a mental relapse. A person might worry about whether they’ll be any good at the new job, feel nervous about a relationship they’re just beginning, or second-guess whether they will be able to afford that new house after all. Drugs and alcohol used to save your loved one from these uncomfortable feelings and having to deal with their own emotional responses; relapse can occur when they feel they have no other means of coping. This can lead to an emotional relapse.
7. Boredom. While it might seem ridiculous at first to think that someone could relapse simply due to boredom, consider this: a structured, consistent schedule can help fill the gaps that used to be filled by addiction by offering a sense of purpose and direction. Engaging in healthy recreational activities outside of work can also be an effective way to distract oneself from cravings and avoid triggers. Some free time, of course, is good, but too much of it can leave a person open to dwelling on the past or on negative thoughts and negative emotions that may drive them to start using again and start the stages of relapse again.

While it’s important to keep these triggers in mind, it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with your loved one’s specific relapse triggers as well. Everyone’s recovery process is unique; not all addicted individuals will be triggered by all of the above, and there may be more personal triggers outside of this list to consider. Talking with your loved one, as well as consulting a mental health professional or clinician, can help you determine what you need to watch out for and how to handle these triggers when they occur.

Keep in mind, however, that you can only support your loved one as they work through the stages of recovery—you cannot protect them from all triggers at all times, and you cannot always prevent every form of relapse from occurring, whether it’s emotional, mental, or physical relapse. But you can learn to recognize the warning signs for relapse and identify when it may be time to consider a return to, or a change in, treatment.

Recognizing Relapse Warning Signs

Just as an individual’s specific addiction relapse triggers are unique to them and their experiences, warning signs that your loved one has relapsed depend on a number of unique personal factors. However, noting one or more of the following common warning signs can be a strong indicator that a stage of relapse has occurred or is imminent:

1. Overconfidence. While it’s important for your loved one to feel confident in their own ability to recover from addiction, overconfidence can be dangerous and a common sign of relapse. This supposed period of improvement could be them trying to overcompensate for something. If they start talking about quitting treatment or giving up on certain parts of their aftercare plan because they “just feel better” or don’t feel like they need to anymore, this can indicate that they are no longer actively pursuing their long-term recovery goals and may be at risk for relapse.
2. Significant change in attitude. Bad days are a natural part of the process of recovery. But if your loved one seems to be experiencing distinct stages of negative feelings, like feelings of anxiety or sadness, and other possible signs of decreasing mental health, over an extended period of time, they may be at risk for a relapse. Similarly, mood swings, increased irritability, and other sudden marked changes in attitude can indicate either a risk of relapse or that they’ve already been in the throes of mental relapse. Even strong positive feelings, if it’s extreme or seems to come out of the blue, can be a sign that they are experiencing the highs of using again. It’s important to keep an eye on their emotional health, alongside their mental and physical health, as any changes to them can be indicative of something bigger going on.
3. Significant change in behavior. If your loved one starts repeatedly skipping school, “forgetting” appointments, acting out, or simply acting contrarily to their usual character, a significant change in behavior is often one of the most pronounced warning signs of relapse. This is especially true if there is a marked change in eating or sleeping habits.
4. Self-imposed isolation. Social withdrawal from positive relationships and neglecting or avoiding social connections, in general, isn’t merely a relapse warning sign—it can also occur as a result of the guilt and shame your loved one may feel if they’ve already had an emotional relapse.
5. Reviving old (negative) connections. If your loved one is spending time with the people they used to use with or hanging out in the same places in which they used to use, this can be a strong indicator that they are in a stage of relapse or the mental relapse has already occurred—especially if they try to hide that they are spending their time thus.
6. Neglecting personal hygiene. Poor self-care practices, such as forgetting to wash their hair, refusing to take a shower, not brushing their teeth, or wearing the same clothes for days is nearly always a sign that something is wrong and that they are potentially in the middle of a mental relapse—if not relapse, then perhaps some other negative experience that may trigger a relapse.
7. Dishonesty. Little white lies are one thing, but if your loved one seems to continually be lying to you about things like whether or not they went to therapy, where they are spending all their time (or money), or why they never seem to come to the weekly family dinner anymore, this can be a sign that they are trying to hide a relapse.

Ultimately, the best way to recognize a potential or current sign of relapse is to listen to your loved one—and to your own instincts. It is all too easy to write off red flags as something temporary or innocuous, but ignoring a potential relapse will only make recovery harder in the long run. If it feels like something is wrong, something probably is wrong.

However, don’t panic if the warning signs above sound all too familiar. Even if your loved one is already in the throes of relapse, there is still hope for recovery—both in the short and long term.

Helping a Loved One Cope with Addiction Relapse

If your loved one has relapsed or seems to be at risk of doing so, the best thing you can do for them is to remind them of why they wanted to recover in the first place and that they are not alone in their struggle.

Talk to your friend or family member about their feelings and experiences. Don’t force them to talk if they are unwilling, but do encourage them to share whatever they feel able to. When expressing yourself, take care to focus on your love for them, and remind them that you are concerned only because you care. Try not to pass judgment or let your emotions get the best of you. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, whether by frustration or sadness or any other strong emotion, it is best to take a break and wait until you’re calm again before continuing this conversation.

Discuss the possibility of returning to treatment programs. While it may feel like a step backward, beginning a new treatment plan or modifying one that is already in place is not something to be ashamed of. Rather, it is an opportunity to figure out what hasn’t been working for your loved one so far and to discover what other options might better support their recovery, such as recovery meetings with organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

With your support, and potentially the support of trained clinicians on their treatment team who have helped hundreds of others work through similar struggles, your loved one can move past relapse and find their own path to lasting recovery. You may not be able to walk that path for them, but you can help them stick to it—and help guide them back to it if they should lose their way.

New Choices Treatment Centers offers a safe, empathetic space in which your loved one can recover from the stages of substance abuse, addiction, or relapse. Our programming includes both individual and family therapies that can help you and your loved one learn how to not only prevent relapse when possible but also to cope with it effectively when it does occur. Together, we can pave the path to sustainable recovery one step—and one day—at a time. Contact us to learn more, or call us today at (786) 888-7003.