Recovery takes time, patience, and ongoing commitment – so you should already feel proud of how far you’ve come. Even after completing detox and rehabilitation, one of the biggest challenges is staying sober.
Emotional triggers like stress, anxiety, loneliness, or unresolved trauma are leading causes of relapse. These triggers can create powerful cravings and make it difficult to stay on track without the right support. You must understand and effectively manage your emotional triggers to protect your recovery and build a stable, fulfilling future.
Let’s talk about emotional triggers and relapse prevention
Triggers, both emotional and situational, play a big role in relapse, making awareness essential for relapse prevention.
- They are feelings or situations that provoke strong emotional reactions, often tied to past experiences or trauma.
- Common triggers include stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, or loneliness.
- External cues like people, places, or situations linked to past substance use can also act as triggers.
- Triggers can lead to cravings, impulsive decisions, or urges to return to old habits.
- Identifying your triggers is key to managing them effectively and protecting long-term sobriety.
When these emotional triggers aren’t recognised or managed properly, they can quickly start affecting your recovery. For example, an argument with a loved one, stress at work, feelings of loneliness, or a sense of failure can increase cravings or prompt old coping behaviours from the past.
You need to have proactive strategies, because triggering moments can become reactive situations, increasing the risk of relapse. When you know your triggers, you can plan ahead and have strategies in place to navigate through the cravings. This helps you to respond thoughtfully instead of reactively, building a strong foundation for ongoing recovery.
About our relapse prevention programs
At The Bardo, our relapse prevention treatment is designed to support you long after detox and rehabilitation are complete. Preventing relapse is an important step in your healing, because maintaining sobriety requires ongoing awareness and support.
Our holistic approach combines personalised counselling, complementary therapies, health rebalancing, and practical strategies to recognise early warning signs before they reach the next level. At The Bardo, we help you build confidence, strengthen resilience, and create a sustainable plan for long-term recovery.
Whether you’re continuing your journey after rehab or seeking extra support, The Bardo’s personalised relapse prevention services on the Gold Coast offer a compassionate, structured pathway to lasting change.
5 strategies for managing emotional triggers
As part of your journey at The Bardo, we teach you several strategies to help you through recovery and prevent relapse:
Identify your triggers
It’s important to recognise what situations, feelings or environments that provoke your cravings. By identifying your triggers, you can increase your awareness and be more prepared when they arise, giving yourself the space to respond calmly, rather than react impulsively. Some techniques you can use when these triggers come up include journaling, self-reflection, or, you can speak to a counsellor.
Develop healthy coping skills
Everyone deals with emotional triggers in different ways, however, some useful methods include mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises. Physical activities like yoga, personal training and body work therapy can help, as well as creative outlets like art therapy and music.
Build a support network
You don’t have to do this alone. Ongoing counselling and aftercare play an important role in preventing relapse, as does fostering connections with peers, family and support groups. These bonds can provide encouragement, accountability, and a safe place to talk through challenges before they become overwhelming.
Changes to lifestyle
Self-care is so important as you journey through recovery. Looking after yourself can help strengthen emotional resilience. Structured daily routines help reduce the risk of impulsive responses and give you the foundation for ongoing healing.
Evidence-based therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based practices are all proven approaches that help you understand your thought patterns, strengthen emotional regulation, and build healthier responses to triggers.
These therapies give you practical tools to navigate cravings, reduce stress, and stay grounded throughout your recovery.
Creating a safe and supportive recovery environment
At The Bardo, our rehab retreat offers private rooms, 24/7 support, and a relaxed setting where you can explore emotional triggers without judgment. Feeling fully secure allows you to engage deeply in your recovery and build lasting coping strategies.
Long-term support
Ongoing follow-up, personalised counselling, and tailored relapse prevention plans help you long-term. Staying connected with The Bardo team gives you the tools and support you need to navigate life’s challenges and maintain lasting recovery.
With our professional guidance and personalised care, long-term recovery is possible. Contact us today to find out more.
