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We often think about addiction triggers as being tangible: places, people, substances themselves. But one overlooked source of relapse triggers might surprise you: your favorite TV shows. While it might sound harmless to kick back with a familiar show after a long day, media can contain subtle (or overt) cues that subconsciously trigger cravings, anxiety, or emotional distress related to past substance use. A common example I have heard in recent years is Breaking Bad, considered one of the best TV shows of all time, as the show is about the use, sale, and production of methamphetamine.
Media is Designed to Be This Way
Television shows are designed to evoke strong emotions and capture our attention. For someone in recovery, these emotional triggers can inadvertently become potent relapse prompts. This isn’t limited to shows explicitly about addiction or substance use; sometimes even ordinary shows can contain scenes that subtly resonate with past experiences, or even bring us back to that period in our minds.
Take, as one example, the show “Intervention,” widely popular for its raw portrayal of addiction and recovery. A friend of mine shared their personal experience about watching the program during their active addiction. At the time, they rationalized their own substance use by comparing themselves to the subjects of the episodes, assuring themselves that “those people” were in a far worse condition. Regardless of whether this perception was true or distorted, the comparison became deeply ingrained in their mind.
Years later, even seeing short clips or previews of the show causes them significant discomfort, bringing about anxiety, unease. Does it make them crave drugs? They didn’t go that far, but for many people these strong emotional responses from media could do that. The show, originally viewed as somewhat comforting because it represented something “worse,” now acts as a painful reminder of their own addiction struggles. It’s a powerful example of how media can embed itself deeply in one’s psyche, transforming from casual viewing into a powerful and lasting trigger.
Why does this happen? Television and film use powerful storytelling techniques such as dramatic visuals, emotionally charged scenes, and evocative soundtracks to captivate audiences. The music part of this is important, as music also has this same effect for many people with substance use disorders, all on its own. For individuals who have experienced addiction, these elements can mimic real-life emotional states closely tied to their substance use history. For instance, stress-inducing situations, emotional confrontations, scenes of drug use, or even the portrayal of intoxication can awaken dormant memories and emotions tied to addiction.
Managing Strong Triggers from Media
The media often glamorizes substance use unintentionally. Even negative portrayals of addiction can inadvertently romanticize or normalize drug and alcohol use by placing them within an engaging narrative context. I believe this to be the case with Breaking Bad. The drug dealers and drug users on Breaking Bad are not portrayed to be doing good, but the methamphetamine is described as the purest on the market, they are making tons of money from it and living luxuriously, and drugs and drug use are fully depicted on screen in nearly all episodes. Portrayals like these, often cautionary in intent, can paradoxically become appealing or triggering, particularly for those actively struggling with addiction or in early recovery.
Facilities like Florida Springs in Panama City, an inpatient drug rehab in Florida, emphasize the importance of recognizing and avoiding triggers. Patients at Florida Springs learn practical strategies to identify and manage triggers associated with their past substance use. Part of our comprehensive approach involves helping patients change the “people, places, and things” tied to their previous lifestyle in addiction. By addressing these environmental and emotional factors, inpatient drug rehab programs like Florida Springs offer a structured, supportive environment essential for lasting recovery.
Understanding that media can trigger relapse does not mean eliminating all television or movies from your life! For people I have talked to, these very triggering shows are few and far between, and are closely tied to specific experiences and emotions from the past. Awareness and intentionality are crucial tools here. If certain shows, movies, or even types of media content evoke strong emotions linked to past substance use, acknowledge and identify them. Discussing these feelings with therapists, counselors, or support groups can provide critical emotional processing and practical coping strategies.
Recovery-friendly shows, comedies, documentaries about wellness, or even unrelated hobbies can offer fulfilling entertainment without the emotional turmoil.
Ultimately, recognizing how seemingly innocent entertainment can trigger relapse is important for maintaining long-term sobriety. It’s important to prioritize your emotional well-being over momentary entertainment. Knowing your own emotional landscape, setting boundaries, and seeking supportive resources can transform your relationship with media, ensuring it remains enjoyable and safe in your ongoing journey to recovery!
By Tim Cannon
