Substance addiction is a difficult thing to beat, so when you finally defeat it, you wouldn’t want to go through the cycle all over again. This guide will help you learn the best ways to keep yourself from relapsing.
What causes a relapse?
Relapse is a common thing for people recovering from an addiction. People who go to addiction recovery centers in Nampa often find themselves going back because of the temptations to relapse. But why does this happen despite treatment? Here are some possible triggers for relapse:
- Stress. Many people with substance abuse disorder turn to their drug of choice when feeling stressed out. In fact, stress is the primary cause of relapse for rehabilitated individuals.
- Familiar triggers. People, places, or situations that people link to their addiction can serve as triggers for relapse.
- Mental health problems. Anxiety or depression make it harder for people to stay away from drugs or alcohol, feeling that these substances are the only things that can give them relief.
- Poor support system. Patients that do not have the proper support system for long-term recovery often go back to their old habits.
How to avoid relapse
1. Avoid your triggers
Once you recognize the people, places, things, or situations that trigger you to go back to your old ways, you need to be more proactive in avoiding them. Cut off other substance users, stop going to places where drug use is rampant, and remove all physical things that remind you of drugs or alcohol. It will take a lot of effort, but it’s worth avoiding the temptations.
2. Develop a support group
You don’t have to trek the road to recovery alone. It’s ideal to form a network of supportive friends and family to help you get through the bad days during your recovery. With these positive people around you, you are more motivated to stay away from drugs for good.
3. Continue your therapy
You’ve completed your 12-step program and finally stayed clean for a couple of months. Don’t stop there. Continue therapy every week to significantly reduce the chances of relapsing. After rehab, it can be difficult to assimilate back into society, so make sure you still have a therapy that can help you deal with the stress and pressure. Stay on your therapy for at least one to two years or until you feel you can do without it.
4. Take care of your mental health
Mental health problems can ruin your efforts for sobriety. If you have anxiety, depression, or any other psychological disorder, it’s best to treat it alongside your addiction. Have a medical professional evaluate you and help you establish a treatment plan that may involve medication. If you are prescribed medicine for your condition, don’t stop taking it even though you feel better.
Experiencing a relapse is part of the recovery process. Avoid having to go through it as much as possible. But if you do, don’t take it as a failure on your part. If you happen to relapse, reach out to your recovery center or support system to help you get back on track.
