What professional support is available to prevent relapse?

Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. Besides the tips listed on this page, there are some additional strategies you or your loved one can employ while maintaining a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. It’s normal to feel shame, guilt, frustration, or defeat after a relapse.

What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?

• Many individuals often feel ashamed when they relapse at any stage and therefore refuse to ask for help, but this only worsens matters.
• CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps identify negative thoughts that lead to substance abuse.
• Relapse prevention is a lifelong process that requires commitment, planning, and continuous support.
• Write down any specific circumstances that you think have contributed to substance use in the past.

If you’re feeling low, anxious, https://apkoll.com/prevent-relapse-substance-abuse-aftercare-plan/ tired or unwell, it can weaken your self-control and make it harder to resist cravings. Relapse is common because it takes time for our brain to get used to functioning and coping without the substance or behaviour. When we’re faced with certain stressors or situations, we may revert to old ways of coping. If you’ve been in addiction treatment before, make sure you’re engaging in any of the aftercare support that’s available to you. They can help you to identify areas that need improvement, such as coping skills or building a healthy routine. They can also advise you whether inpatient or outpatient treatment might be necessary.

Recognizing Triggers:

Recovery, then, becomes a hopeful path rather than an endless loop of relapse. Even where setbacks occur, a comprehensive framework – sustained outpatient therapy, medication where beneficial, stable living conditions, and peer support – helps individuals regain footing more quickly. At Carolina Center for Recovery and affiliates, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible. Our certified medical reviewers are licensed in the mental health and addiction medicine fields and are dedicated to helping readers and prospective clients make informed decisions about their treatment. We adhere to strict accuracy guidelines and only reference credible sources when providing information on our website. You and your sponsor or therapist can work together to determine what level of treatment you need.

What Are the Stages of Relapse?

Lifelong commitment to a relapse prevention plan is crucial in order to maintain sobriety. Instead, it can be an opportunity to examine what lifestyle changes, coping skills, and adjustments may be needed to prevent relapse in the future. Incorporating insights gained from relapses into a personalized recovery plan is vital.

Call today to speak confidentially with a recovery expert or take our brief self-test.

If you’ve previously relied on a particular substance or behaviour to manage stress, facing difficulties could increase the risk of relapse. For example, issues such as financial problems, relationship breakdowns or social pressures can contribute to heightened vulnerability during these moments, leading to relapse. Addiction relapse is the return to addictive behaviours after a period of abstinence, often caused by stress, triggers, https://ecosober.com/blog/addiction-relapse-risk-factors-coping-and-treatment/ cravings or lack of support or coping strategies. If you’re experiencing a relapse, explore your triggers, be kind to yourself and seek support. Inquiries into personal motivations, triggers, and strategies can help individuals remain committed, even during periods of perceived stability. Given that relapse rates remain high, understanding that recovery involves ongoing education and adaptation is essential to long-term success.

It can happen for various reasons, but it’s important to understand that relapse is not a moral failing. Instead, it reflects the chronic nature of addiction and the need for continued treatment and support. This blog is for informational purposes only Alcohol Use Disorder and should not be a substitute for medical advice.