Amber HollingsworthRecovery Conversation Simulator, Amber's Recovery Practice Lab · Interactive learning tool trained on Amber methodoloy

Why People Can Be Relapse Triggers Too #addictionrecovery #gettingsober #sobercurious

15 Aug 2025 · 1 min

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In this segment Amber Hollingsworth explains that not every person in a recovering individual's social circle is an equal relapse risk. She distinguishes between casual drinking or using buddies—who may occasionally partake but also support the person in recovery—and people who are tightly linked to the substance use, such as a best‑friend who also serves as a hookup or supplier. Amber emphasizes that the latter group is a strong trigger, while the former can often be present without jeopardizing sobriety. She also addresses a common fear among those in recovery: the worry that sobriety will require abandoning beloved activities (like going to the beach) or important relationships (like a best friend). The overall message is that each relationship should be evaluated individually, and giving up everything is not necessary; thoughtful boundaries and awareness are key.

Chapters

It's interesting because I have a lot of clients who maybe they have drinking buddies or using buddies, but those people don't use addictively. They use a little bit here and there. Maybe you're used to using with them, but it's not like, this is what we do together. It's the only thing we do together. And sometimes even those people even know that you're in recovery and support you. And they can drink or not drink. And those people, you can be around them and they're not as much of a trigger. But those ones that you have highly associated with it, like if you have someone you always go to to get whatever it is that you're using, definitely that person will be in that category. Maybe it's your best friend, but they're also your hookup. All of these things have to be taken into account. And the scary part here for most people is about, do I have to give up all of those things? Like, am I going to have to give up going to the beach forever? Am I going to have to give up my best friend?