It’s no secret that relapse is a common occurrence for those struggling with addiction. In fact, substance use disorder is highly common among young people. Therefore, relapse prevention is essential after completing an alcohol rehab program. So, what can be done to prevent relapse and ensure long-term sobriety? This is a question that researchers have been exploring for years, and while there is no one definitive answer, there are a number of strategies that seem to be effective. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most promising approaches to preventing relapse. Stay tuned!
What Is Relapse And Why Do People Relapse After Treatment?
Relapse is defined as a return to drug use after a period of abstinence. It can occur after a person has completed a Alcohol treatment program and is working on maintaining their sobriety. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease. What this means is that people who suffer from addiction will often need multiple rounds of treatment in order to maintain sobriety.
In fact, relapse is incredibly common, with some studies estimating that as many as 40-60% of people will experience a relapse at some point during their recovery. When it comes to relapse, there are multiple factors contributing to the situation. Let’s take a closer look!
What Are The Common Causes Of Relapse For Addicts And Alcoholics?
There are many reasons why addicts and alcoholics relapse after getting sober. Some common triggers include stressful life events, boredom, and social pressure. Often, people in recovery are not prepared to deal with these triggers, and they can quickly lead to a relapse.
Stress
One of the most common causes of relapse is stress. Addicts and alcoholics often have a lot of pent-up stress from their previous lifestyles. When they first get sober, they may not have any outlets for this stress. As a result, it can quickly build up and lead to a relapse. It’s important for people in recovery to find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, or therapy.
Boredom
Another common trigger for relapse after substance use disorder is boredom. When people are bored, they often turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve the boredom. This is especially true for people who are new in alcohol recovery and don’t yet have a lot of sober friends or hobbies. You have to find good things without alcohol or drug rehab usage. It will also help you to stay sober and prevent relapse.
Fatigue
Additionally, fatigue can also play a role, as it can make people feel like they don’t have the energy to stay sober. While relapse is certainly a difficult challenge to overcome, it’s important to remember that it’s not an indication of failure. Rather, it’s simply a part of the process for many people. With the right support and treatment, anyone can achieve lasting sobriety.
Social Pressure
Finally, social pressure can be a trigger for relapse. Peer pressure is a powerful force, and it can be especially difficult to resist when you’re trying to stay sober. If you’re around people who are using drugs or drinking alcohol, it can be tempting to give in and join them. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to cave to peer pressure – you can stick to your sobriety goals and resist temptation.
How To Treat Relapse Prevention?
One of the most difficult aspects of recovering from addiction is preventing relapse. After all, addiction is a chronic disease, and like other chronic diseases, there is no cure. However, there are treatment options available that can help people in recovery learn how to manage their disease and prevent relapse.
Believe it or not, an essential thing to prevent relapse is to stay connected in a highly supportive society. This could be a 12-step program, therapy, or even just friends and family who are supportive of your sobriety. It’s important to have people you can lean on when things get tough, and it’s also important to have positive role models in your life.
Another important aspect of relapse prevention is taking care of yourself physically. This means eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep. When your body is healthy, it’s easier to resist temptation and cravings.
Moreover, it’s important to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. This means managing stress in a healthy way, practicing meditation or mindfulness, and attending therapy if necessary. By taking these steps, you can create a strong foundation for sobriety and greatly reduce your risk of relapse.
Some Effective Strategies For Preventing Relapse In Long-Term Recovery
Relapse is a serious concern for anyone in long-term recovery from addiction. While there is no surefire way to prevent relapse, there are some effective strategies that can help to reduce the risk. Some of these strategies include:
Stay Connected To A Support Network
The Family and Medical Leave Act states that an employer cannot relieve an individual of their duty for taking time off to get addiction treatment. That means you don’t have to worry about anything. All you have to do is inform the office about your treatment and the time it will take.
Attend Regular Therapy Sessions
Therapy can help you to identify and work through any underlying issues that may trigger a relapse.
Stay Busy And Engaged
An idle mind is more likely to wander back to old habits and destructive thoughts. By staying busy with hobbies, work, volunteering, or other activities, you’re less likely to dwell on your alcohol addiction and more likely to stay on the path of recovery.
Avoid High-Risk Situations
If you know that certain places or situations are likely to trigger a craving or lead to relapse, do your best to avoid them altogether.
Be Honest With Yourself And Others
Honesty is key in recovery; if you’re not honest about what’s going on in your life and how you’re feeling, it will be difficult to get the help and support you need to stay clean and sober.
Don’t Try To Go It Alone
Recovery is a team effort; you’ll need all the support you can get from others in order to stay on track.
Practice Self-Care
Addictions take a toll on both your body and your mind; make sure to take care of yourself physically and emotionally in order to reduce the risk of relapse.
Be Patient With Yourself
Addiction is a chronic disease, which means that it takes time and patience to recover from it. Don’t be discouraged if you have setbacks along the way; just pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Bouncing back from a relapse is difficult but not impossible; don’t give up on yourself!
Proper Planning
Aftercare plan following treatment should always include some form of continued care such as weekly therapy appointments or check-ins with a sober coach as well as attending regular 12-step meetings or other support groups such as SMART Recovery. Planning ahead for how you will deal with stressful situations, triggers, cravings, and emotions can help you avoid potential relapse scenarios.
Set Realistic Goals
Aftercare plan following treatment should always include some form of continued care such as weekly therapy appointments or check-ins with a sober coach as well as attending regular 12-step meetings or other support groups such as SMART Recovery. Planning ahead for how you will deal with stressful situations, triggers, cravings, and emotions can help you avoid potential relapse scenarios.
How Can Friends And Family Members Help Someone Prevent Relapse After An Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program?
Once the addiction treatment program is completed, it is necessary to surround yourself with a strong support system. Friends and family members can help someone prevent relapse after an alcohol addiction rehab program in a number of ways. The most important thing they can do is to provide ongoing support and encouragement.
Many people who have successfully overcome addiction find that it is helpful to stay in regular contact with friends and family members who understand what they are going through. These individuals can offer ongoing moral support, which can be essential during difficult times. Friends and family members can provide this support in many ways.
First, they can be a listening ear when the person in recovery is struggling with triggers or cravings. They can also help to create a distraction-free environment and provide practical assistance, such as rides to meetings or tasks that may be difficult for the person in recovery.
Additionally, friends and family members can offer words of encouragement and serve as positive role models. Besides this, they can help to hold the person in recovery accountable by checking in on their progress and offering gentle reminders when necessary. By providing this support, friends and family members can play an important role in helping someone prevent relapse after the completion of their drug rehab program.
Bottom Line
Prevention is key when it comes to relapse. Whether you are struggling with addiction or not, knowing the signs of a potential relapse and taking steps to prevent them can help ensure long-term success. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please seek professional help. You should feel no shame in asking for help; in fact, it takes great courage. Recovery is possible, and there is hope for a better tomorrow.