Relapse prevention is one of the main goals of drug or alcohol treatment programs. When you become addicted to a substance, your brain functions change, making it challenging to overcome your condition. Because everyday life contains many triggers, relapse is common among people trying to get over their disorder.
- In less severe cases, outpatient therapy and support groups may be adequate.
- Communication skills and the overall family dynamic may improve through family therapy as well.
- First is the rate at which opioid tolerance builds, which increases very rapidly when compared with other drugs.
Stress and Surroundings
Relapse means going back to using after you’ve been abstinent for some time. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 40 to 60 percent of people who were once addicted to drugs will eventually relapse. Remember, reaching out for help and support is vital if you ever feel overwhelmed or struggling. Long-term sobriety is possible and starts with taking that first step.
Your Addiction Doesn’t Have To Define Who You Are.
In Turnbridge’s young adult treatment programs, for example, clients learn how to cope with negative emotions such as depression, boredom, and stress, as well as difficult situations such as peer pressure and parties or celebrations. Drug-using friends, old haunts, and hurtful relationships are other common relapse triggers among adolescents and young adults. Qualitative feedback regarding the SMArT intervention was also collected for both studies (Lucock et al., 2018, 2021) through a brief telephone call after completing relapse prevention skills the relapse prevention intervention. The first study (Lucock et al., 2018) reported feedback received via telephone from six patients who completed the intervention. The supplementary material highlighted eight themes from the data surrounding experiences of different aspects of the intervention and the difficulties in implementing their relapse prevention plans. For both studies, patients reported that contact with the practitioner via follow-ups provided reassurance and was useful for continued support.
Emotional Stage
Relapse prevention focuses on building the awareness necessary to recognize the early stages of relapse. It also provides the skills to change your behavior and avoid misusing substances again. One of the most dangerous aspects of relapse is the increased risk of overdose.
Ever find yourself returning to alcohol after weeks or months of sobriety? Discover how our brains distort past memories and the science to overcome relapse. Attending or resuming attending meetings of some form of mutual support group can be extremely valuable immediately after a lapse or relapse.
- Refocusing on recovery and further relapse prevention with a care team is crucial.
- But this view is considered harmful since it fosters feelings of guilt and shame that can hinder your ability to recover from a setback.
- A 2020 review suggests that up to 60% of people living with depression will experience at least one relapse episode in their life.
- It is a temporary setback in a recovery process that will one day lead you to live your life free of drugs.
Relapse Prevention Strategies
Your treatment team can help you decide whether inpatient, outpatient, or other treatment options are more appropriate for you. Many different philosophies about recovery and relapse exist, often with opposing tenets, which can leave you confused about which is correct. For some, relapse is viewed in a negative light and indicates weakness. But this view is considered harmful since it fosters feelings of guilt and shame that can hinder your ability to recover from a setback. For others, recovery is a personal growth process that usually involves a couple setbacks.2 Rather than viewing a relapse as shameful, this perspective looks at it as a learning experience.
Additionally, join local recovery meetings to interact with peers in similar situations. This technique involves running “a mental videotape” of the entire relapse process. It involves going through the process from start to finish and noting all the changes that would occur if you give into the temptation. Practicing mindfulness also aids in dealing with triggers without using substances. It helps you break free from unhelpful thought patterns and focus on healthier alternatives for managing stress. Keep a note of your therapist’s phone number, emergency contacts, and a concrete action plan in case you relapse.
Do I Need to Go Back to Treatment?
