Relapse: Why Lifestyle-related Cues are just as Harmful as Being Around Drugs

There are many things that can trigger a relapse in drug-abusers, from being around fellow drug-users to seeing drug paraphernalia to an increase in stress levels. Even something as simple as listening to the music that was playing during the use of drugs can increasing cravings and be a relapse trigger. Avoiding these drug related cues are vital for an addict's recovery (Olson).

Interestingly enough, these lifestyle-cues and substance-related cues have a biological basis, which means that the simple act of being in certain surroundings can cause chemical changes in the brain! Dr. Stephan Steidl, a professor and researcher at Loyola University Chicago, spoke about his research on the effects drug-related cues. In one study, monkeys were used to investigate brain activity in the presence of a drug-related cue. The monkey was hooked to an electrode in its brain to record the firing of action potentials. Every so often it would get a squirt of juice (the perfect reward for a monkey). It was noted that the dopamine levels prior to the juice were normal, and after the juice reward, dopamine levels were significantly elevated. Next, a conditioned stimulus of a tone was introduced, meaning that each squirt of juice was preceded by a certain sound. This was done multiple times, and every time the monkey heard the tone and received a reward, the firing of dopamine neuron action potentials increased. After this had been done for some time, the firing of dopamine neurons increased when the monkey heard the tone instead of after receiving the actual reward (Steidl).

This significant finding tells us that the very idea of getting the reward caused the same effects as actually getting the reward. The tone can be easily compared to the music a drug-abuser listens to while getting high--the next time they hear that music, it will cause a release of dopamine, resulting in a craving and, ultimately, relapse. This concept is the same for drug paraphernalia.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), "40-60 percent of addicts relapse" (Olson). However, this does not mean that there should be no hope--"by cutting out certain cues that fuel temptation, patients may have an easier time fighting cravings" (Olson).

With the knowledge of these studies and the biological background behind cravings, drug counselors can be more effective. If more focus is put on removing lifestyle triggers, we drastically reduce the number of cravings a drug-user has, and lessen the likely hood of relapse overall.

Works Cited 

Steidl, Stephan. " Role of laterodorsal tegmental nucleus cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs to the ventral tegmental area in reinforcement, drug reward, and sensitization." Neuroscience Seminar. Loyola University Chicago, Chicago. 1 Sep. 2015. Speech.

Olson, Samantha. " Drug Addicts' Cravings Can Be Sparked By Cues Like Music And Friends, Causing Relapse." Medical Daily. N.p., 05 May 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. < http://www.medicaldaily.com/drug-addicts-cravings-can-be-sparked-cues-music-and-friends-causing-relapse-332042>.

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