High-Risk Situations The Triggers

A second area of concern can arise from client-environment interactions that may stress the client in some way. Some examples include adverse conditions that contribute to lifestyle imbalances, such as excessive work-related stress, unemployment, or poverty. Many drug users find it difficult to cope with adverse environmental conditions after treatment, and such conditions can increase their 

A third area of concern involves interpersonal conflict, usually with a partner, children, or other family members. Relationship stress makes overcoming a drug problem much more difficult, but not impossible. Arguments and other forms of conflict do place the client at risk, however, if she or he has not prepared for how to respond effectively to such situations ahead of time. Other types of relationships, such as with employers or colleagues, also can generate stress that can begin a chain of risky events for the client, so these types of social relationships should not be ignored in a relapse prevention plan. 

Interpersonal interactions do not need to involve conflict to present a risk to clients. For example, many clients have told me that, prior to treatment or therapy, they experienced significant pressure from friends, and sometimes from other family members, to use drugs. The pressure exerted by others to use drugs does not necessarily go away after treatment, and these pressures can represent a real challenge to clients as they learn to cope without drugs in early recovery. 

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