Write and Educate About Addiction Without Triggering Cravings in an Addict

Drug addiction is programmed into the brain. When a drug addict sees something that reminds them of using it creates a very powerful physical urge, or craving. Psychology 101 teaches students about Pavlov's Theory of Classic Conditioning.  Feed a dog at the same time a bell rings.  The dog's mouth waters because it sees food.  It hears the bell, too.  After awhile the dog will also salivate only when it hears the bell ring because the bell is associated with food.  That explains triggers and drug cravings.

Drug Images

Do not post pictures of the drug or alcohol. This is probably one of the biggest mistakes people make when writing about addiction drug recovery. The drug addict already knows what the drug looks like and showing him or her a big pile of it doesn't help.

Television advertisements tap into us mentally and earn millions of dollars.  A beer commercial can sometimes drive me insane because it makes me crave alcohol so badly.  Triggers and drug cravings are usually worse in early recovery. Addicts are taught to avoid triggers and throw away reminders.  The drugs and the brain remember just fine. Do you really want to post a picture of a crack rock at the top of on an article about cocaine detox?  No.  Most likely the picture is a turn off and people wont even read your information.

Drug Paraphernalia Images and Pictures

Do not use pictures of drug paraphernalia. A syringe picture teaches nothing about addiction. The image triggers cravings in some addicts. It also repulses people. Most people judge addicts by the way they use drugs and IV use tends to take the cake on extremes. Do not use pictures for a shock reaction because they will usually have the wrong effect.

Think about your favorite food or your favorite activity.  Let's say you love to golf. Does a golf club (the paraphernalia) make you wish you were golfing? Do you feel a tinge of excitement and desire to play?  If so, you were just triggered.

Routine is part of addiction. Alcoholics and addicts have a routine that involves paraphernalia. It's hard to quit smoking cigarettes because of the hand to mouth fixation and routine. Phones calls are hard to make without craving a cigarette.

Remember Pavlov. The theory of classical conditioning found that if a person rings a bell then feeds a dog eventually the dog will salivate when it hears the bell. This simple conditioning happens fast. It may take years before an alcoholic can hear the crack of a soda can without their mouth watering with the expectation of a cold beer.

The conditioning that happens inside the brain is spot on. Triggers and drug cravings can overwhelm a person and lead to relapse. Never underestimate how strong these urges can be in a recovering addict.

Use Realistic Examples

Fear tactics don't work well. It's not easy to scare people into recovery. Addicts know fear. Addiction is not logical therefore logic cannot fight addiction.

Narcotics Anonymous and drug rehab centers try to use fear to prevent relapse. Sometimes fear is a great motivator. A person may stay clean from crystal meth because they are afraid to have another psychotic episode. This fear is great when people quit meth and still hear voices or hallucinate.

People in recovery are triggered all the time. The longer a person used the more everyday things are intertwined in their addiction.

Simple objects become giant triggers to get high.  Addicts in recovery must resist the urges and fight biological cues every day.

Define the Audience

Refer to these steps when writing about relapse. Are you helping or triggering an addict?  Does what I'm writing educate? Am I sensationalizing? If you're writing to help parents identify black tar heroin then a picture is justified. Write for the target audience.