Men and Women Have Different Triggers

What Triggers You? Photo Via

A recent study published in the Scientific American showed that alcoholic men and women relapse for different reasons.

It is common knowledge that relapse rates are high for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. That is why addiction treatment programs work with clients on relapse prevention before they leave treatment.

John Kelly and Bettina Hoeppner with Massachusetts General Hospital collected and assessed data that revealed new insights for relapse prevention. For 15 months they looked at the social networks and drinking habits of 1,726 members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They presented them with hypotheticals and asked them how confident they were in their ability to stay sober if those situations happened.

They found that male alcoholics are at greatest risk of relapse when they are in social situations where others are drinking. AA helps them stay sober by being around non-drinking friends. After some time in recovery with fellow members of AA, they learn coping skills to handle situations where friends or colleagues are drinking around them socially. The classic depiction of men bonding in business or personal life over a glass of whiskey seems to be all too triggering for men.

Kelly and Hoeppner found that women alcoholics are at greatest risk for relapse when they feel strong emotions. When they are feeling depressed or anxious, fellow female AA members can help them recognize that they can have emotions, but they don’t have to react to them by picking up a drink.

While in alcoholism treatment, clients often identify their own relapse triggers - be it business dinners, breakups or celebrations. Those in early recovery are cautioned to avoid those situations because the integrity of their recovery should come first. Clients also have opportunities to play out the triggering situations in an individual or group therapeutic setting while in treatment. They can role-play how they would react to identified triggers by utilizing the new tools they learned in recovery. Over time when they are strong in their recovery they can handle triggering situations with grace.

What are your triggers? How do you handle them?

Cory Monteith's Death Sheds Light on Relapse

“I may have a relapse but may not have another recovery” 

 The Importance of Relapse Prevention

It has been a week since it was announced that Cory Monteith passed away from a fatal combination of alcohol and heroin. The devastating news has made us reflect on the importance of addiction treatment for younger adults and relapse prevention.

Monteith was best known for his role in Glee, portraying Finn Hudson, a young football star turned singer for the high school’s singing squad. He was found dead in a hotel in Vancouver last Saturday and reports indicated that alcohol and other substances were found in his hotel room.

Monteith was open about his substance abuse - saying in interviews that he first got sober when he was 19 and remained clean for almost 10 years. In one interview he told Parade Magazine that was “lucky to be alive” because he was “doing anything and everything, as much as possible” by the age of 16. Then last April his publicist announced that he entered rehab for substance abuse.

His relapse is a reminder that sobriety is something those in recovery have to consistently work at, through various means of support - and that a relapse can happen no matter how many years of sobriety someone has under their belt. There is no one size fits all approach to maintain sobriety, but many find that going to 12 step meetings, having a sponsor, incorporating spiritual principals such as honesty and discipline in their lives, maintaining connection with others in recovery and aftercare services or staying connected to their former treatment centers can help.

That is why Harmony’s addiction rehab in Colorado has a unique alumni support system whereby former clients connect with Alumni Services through events and even an iPhone and Android app that allows them to track their recovery progress. We also have a relapse program for those that need to recommit to their recovery. We have created these safety nets because we believe the saying that “I may have a relapse but may not have another recovery” unfortunately rings true. You never know when a relapse or what combination of substances can take a life. Our hearts and prayers go out to Monteith and his friends and family.

Was She Drunk? Czech Woman Hit by Train

It is estimated that 40,933 people in the US die each year from alcohol related accidents. Not all accidents are car crashes, in fact many are other accidents such as falls, cuts or being hit by other vehicles.

This includes the devastating story of Devon Arnold who was mysteriously found dead in 2010 on railroad tracks after he had been drinking at a Denver Nuggets game. A train had apparently hit him more than 2 miles from where he was last seen and no one knew how he had gotten onto the tracks.

These stories happen everywhere, not limited to the US - and just last week a young Czech woman believed to be drunk almost lost her life after she was run over by a subway train. A video captured her staggering around the edge of the train tracks until she fell in. Seconds later a train came and ran her over.

In the video below you see the aftermath of the accident, whereby she is shockingly pulled out from under the train unscathed and simply dusts herself off and walks away after refusing a breathalyzer and medical treatment.

Unfortunately many aren’t so lucky to be able to walk away from alcohol related accidents. Those who are often use the experience as a wake up call to limit their consumption of alcohol. Those who don’t take incidents seriously, and continue to drink heavily despite past falls or other accidents, may have a problem with alcohol.

After getting sober many look back on their past recklessness and praise the fact that they are still alive and healthy. Some even use the fact that they never experienced physical harm as spiritual fuel to support their sobriety. Many seek out addiction treatment after negative experiences while drinking that put them in harm's way. If you are concerned about your own safety while drinking or that of another, Harmony Foundation has alcohol treatment for adults and young adults.

The jury is still out on whether the Czech woman was drunk or just sleepy, you can form your own opinion after watching this video: