Everyone is tempted at some point in life; some of the biggest challenges we face revolve around temptations. As a result, we are preconditioned to avoid temptation as much as possible. Temptation is also considered a trigger in addiction recovery because it can cause us to fall back into previous unhealthy habits. It’s important to know that nearly every individual succumbs to temptation at some point; however, using it as a tool can be an escape route, especially when fully resisted.
Triggers Can Come From Any Direction
Temptations and triggers can come from any direction and at any time. However, most temptations and triggers will weigh us down and make us feel guilty or depressed if we give in. In addiction treatment, you learn that you will go through challenges and encounter triggers. However, you can learn to use triggers and temptations to find an escape in a healthier direction.
Developing the ability to resist triggers and temptation can be a considerable element in overcoming substance abuse and an essential factor in your recovery journey after treatment. You can even think of temptations and triggers as opportunities to become stronger in your resolve and ultimately move forward into greater happiness.
Find a Way to Resist and Plan an Escape Route
Each day we encounter triggers, and temptation surrounds us; it’s a part of life. However, you can build up a defensive wall and an escape route to freedom by resisting those triggers and temptations. For example, if you decide to go and hang out in a place where you once used your substance of choice, you may be triggered to start using again. However, if you knew that you would be triggered before you even entered the place, you could implement a strategy to overcome the temptation.
You learn techniques to resist temptation while you are in treatment. In treatment, you’ll learn behavioral systems, preventative maintenance strategies, coping mechanisms, and more to help you resist any trigger. However, it’s a matter of making these strategies second nature to you. You need to practice using the strategies you learned so that they become almost automatic.
If you practice various scenarios and use the coping mechanisms and strategies learned in treatment to resist relapse, you will develop tools to be more productive and live a healthier lifestyle. These tools will be your escape routes when life becomes difficult.
The Guest House knows how temptation and triggers arise when substance abuse is involved. The lessons learned and the structures put in place in treatment help you to resist temptation and triggers. You learn to view triggers and temptations from a different perspective, and your desire to be healthy becomes stronger. By instilling strategies and coping mechanisms into your life and thought processes, you can avoid the downward spiral of relapse. For more information on resisting triggers and planning escape routes, call The Guest House at (855) 483-7800. We are here to help.