COVID-19 Enhanced Relapse Triggers

When you have overcome your addiction and entered into recovery, you understand that there are things that may trigger a relapse. During your stay at any rehabilitation center, you will learn to identify these triggers and how to avoid relapsing. This is a crucial part of drug addiction recovery.

However, no one could have been prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on anyone in recovery. Those who have left drug rehab recently face the most challenges because the COVID-19 restrictions make it hard to get the support you need from others.

A Look At Relapse Triggers Enhanced By COVID 19

When you were in the addiction recovery center, your substance abuse counselor worked with you in discovering what triggers your use of drugs or alcohol. During these trying times, it is important to look at these triggers again so that you can find a way to overcome them and stay sober during the pandemic.

Loneliness

Loneliness is a leading factor of relapsing during the pandemic. Stay at home orders and the inability to socially interact with anyone at home, at work, or in any social setting can be overwhelming for anyone. If you are struggling with loneliness, it will be important to find a way to connect with anyone, even new groups online, to feel like you are interacting with people.

Family Dynamics

Many families function very well, living together when they all have their own thing to keep them occupied. However, some families find it difficult to interact with each other 24/7, like what is happening during stay-at-home orders. If the family is stressing you out, find a way for some alone time or downtime from the family to relax and meditate, read a book, do a puzzle, or chat with friends online.

Job Loss

Temporary or permanent job loss resulting from the pandemic can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. Everyone facing this is susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having financial troubles. It is important at this time that you focus your energy on applying for financial help through different agencies and speaking with your creditors about your situation. When you remain in control of a bad situation, it is much easier to overcome.

Fear

Face it; there is so much information out there about the pandemic that sometimes it is not easy to tell what is real and what is not. Situations like these can lead to fear, and fear can lead to substance abuse.

If you are experiencing this issue, it is important to speak with a medical professional to find out the right and real facts about COVID 19, and that way, you can feel secure in what you know.

Boredom

Not all addictions are a result of bad things happening in your life. Some people start experimenting with substances to fill their time. Simply put, they are bored. Stay at home orders can lead to boredom, so it will be crucial to make sure that you can find things to do to fill your time.

Learn a new hobby, research your family tree, work on that novel you always thought you would write, don’t get bored.

Remember: Support Systems Are Still In Place

If you find yourself struggling with recovery because of the restrictions from COVID-19, remember that there are still support systems in place. Many group sessions like those offered by AA or NA have online meeting rooms. For those who need to have face-to-face contact, some groups have in-person meetings with social distancing requirements in place.

Don’t be afraid to seek help if you are struggling. It is important to understand that everyone, whether they are in recovery or not, is having difficulty with the challenges that the pandemic has presented. You are not alone.

Take whatever steps necessary to build that support system for yourself during these trying times. You will be happier and healthier for your efforts. What is even more important to realize is that your efforts to build a support circle for yourself also help someone else have a support circle. In your need, you are helping others.

The best news of all is that this pandemic will not last forever. Soon it will pass, and you can get back to enjoying your life in recovery.