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For many people with opioid use disorder (OUD), busy, stressful periods can increase the risk of relapse. While there are some times of year people expect to be running around and experiencing higher levels of stress, even relaxing periods can have their challenges. OUD relapse in summer is also very common due to some unique triggers. Learning what makes summer a potentially risky time and what triggers you might encounter can help you devise a plan to stay safe and avoid OUD relapse during the warmer months.
Why OUD relapse in summer is so common
Summer has a reputation for being a carefree time of year where people take vacations, spend time outside, plan picnics and barbecues, and get together to celebrate and make the most of the warm weather. But many of these large group activities involve the presence of addictive substances. Pool parties, barbecues, and baseball games frequently involve drinking alcohol, for example, and summer music festivals are well-known for their rates of illicit drug use. Being around certain relatives and old acquaintances and friends in any environment can be a risk factor. In short, while summer events are fun, they also represent triggers for OUD relapse.
Social gatherings aren’t the only seasonal activity that can lead to relapse. Having a reliable routine is one of the strongest safeguards against OUD relapse, and a change in routine or lack of structure during vacations and holidays can be destabilizing, even though the free time is meant to be fun and relaxing. For some people, even the summer heat can cause discomfort, activate mental health difficulties, and even worsen physical health conditions.
Each of these situations can become a trigger, or an experience that increases the desire to use substances. Triggers can lead to emotional distress, and even relapse, as an individual tries to deal with them. While there are some common types of triggers, each person responds to them differently: some are more vulnerable to emotional and social triggers, while others are more susceptible to environmental, routine, or internal triggers.
Encountering triggers is inevitable, and it’s crucial to build a strategy to deal with them, including support and effective treatment. Willpower alone isn’t enough—and there’s no sense in trying to get through it on your own, only to end up frustrated. The triggers experienced during summer are largely unique to the season, making it difficult (but not impossible) to plan around them. This is the time to understand the resources available to you and tap into them.
Tips for avoiding summer OUD relapse
1. Talk to a professional
When experiencing summer triggers for OUD relapse, being alone or isolated is a recipe for disaster. If you’re worried that summer activities will endanger your treatment process, then talk with your care team about your concerns and ask what behavioral health resources are available. They can help you work out strategies for staying safe during summer and avoiding potentially dangerous situations.
2. Identify + avoid high-risk situations
The holidays are considered a highly triggering time because they can be busy and stressful, but summer is often thought of as the opposite: more relaxed and flexible. But certain events can still be triggering, and you can save yourself a lot of distress by identifying them ahead of time and planning to avoid them.
When friends invite you to a cookout or your family invites you to a large gathering, ask yourself if the environment is likely to trigger the impulse to relapse. Will there be emotional or social triggers? Will you be near substances you would rather not use? If the answer is yes, you always have the option of skipping the event. The same is true for concerts, festivals, sporting events, camping trips, and vacations. If you do want to attend, make it clear that you don’t want to use any substances and ask for support in your decision. Only say yes to environments where you’ll feel safe and supported.
3. Keep a routine
If changing your routine is likely to trigger relapse, then one of the most helpful things you can do to stay safe is to maintain a routine at all costs. Some change and variety are healthy, but you should never sacrifice activities that help keep you safe. Maintain your workout routine and avoid drastically changing your eating habits, for example. Instead of taking a whole week or two away from work, try spacing out your time off with smaller breaks. Taking Thursday and Friday off every couple of weeks can help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated without upending your normal schedule.
4. Find a community that supports your efforts
Humans are social creatures and need the support of others to bring out the best in themselves. Take advantage of safe activities in healthy environments to reconnect with loved ones and make new friends. The goal is to build a social safety net of people who support your treatment and are regularly available to help you stay comfortable and on track. Sober friends and supportive family members can help you through tough times, and they’re less likely to pressure you to attend events that will tempt you to relapse.
Enjoy a summer without facing triggers for OUD relapse
With some care and attention, it’s entirely possible to have a vibrant and fun summer while avoiding triggers for OUD relapse. Instead of avoiding all events for the season or trying to rely on willpower alone, take some time to plan special alternate events with friends and family and connect with your MAT provider. Drug- and alcohol-free picnics or weekend camping trips are great options, as are all-ages concerts, sober get-togethers hosted at your house, art nights, and staycations.
You’ll also want to prepare yourself to set firm boundaries and stick to them. It’s inevitable that someone will invite you to an event that doesn’t feel safe or comfortable, and being confident enough to say no will help keep you on track to recovery. If you have questions or concerns about your well-being over the summer, your Ophelia care team is available when you need their support.
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