Understanding Triggers, Cravings and Using Dreams

In this week's podcast Coach Blu and Athletic Director Marissa discuss triggers, cravings, and using dreams. Triggers and warning signs of relapse are always important to pay attention to if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. A trigger is a stimulus that can cause a craving and lead to behavioral responses. Triggers often come at the beginning of a behavioral cycle; prompting a specific thought, feeling and a subsequent behavior chain. Warning Signs become present when a person stops focusing on recovery or begins fantasizing about the days when they were using, this is when relapses may occur. Some warning signs typically are experienced when romanticizing about past substance use, believing you can use again without becoming addicted or being able to quit on your own, and could include reconnecting with old unhealthy relationships. These in combination with cravings and without proper help could result in relapse or continued use.
As we explore using dreams we dive into what our body and subconscious will do to remind you how, you used to cope with stress, even when sobriety has been achieved. The using dream typically awakens that sleeping addiction and can have emotional responses as a result. The good news is, using dreams are an indicator that you're on the right path, that you're choosing, and being very aware that returning to substance use will not solve your problems, and that your body is re-learning how to cope with stress. It is a sign that your brain is healing.

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