What to Do After a Relapse by Rehab Recovery Centers

For many people, relapse is simply part of the full recovery process. Recovering from addictive behaviors and drug or alcohol abuse isn’t easy, and staying clean and sober can be even harder. If you’ve relapsed, you may feel some shame, guilt, or even embarrassment. You may also be dreading the impending withdrawal symptoms or the thought of returning to treatment. However, relapse is simply an opportunity for you to look at the things you did wrong or the things you didn’t do in your recovery that you should be doing if you want to stay sober this time. If you’ve returned to using drugs or alcohol after a period of sobriety, you may be wondering what to do after a relapse. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to get back on the road to recovery.

Taking Back Your Sobriety After a Relapse

Some people do everything that is suggested of them, yet they still relapse. Others do the bare minimum after completing addiction treatment and are able to stay sober. At the end of the day, anyone who has a history of drug and alcohol addiction has a chance of relapse. Getting help from an individualized treatment program can help reduce the risk of addiction relapse, but the chance is always there.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for people with drug addiction are comparable to those of people with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, as between 40-60% of people in recovery relapse.[1]

Many people feel embarrassment, shame, regret, guilt, and other difficult emotions after they relapse. Oftentimes, individuals will feel as though they have failed or as if there is no hope in continuing their recovery. While these feelings and thoughts are normal, they couldn’t be further from the truth. That being said, the difficult thoughts and feelings that arise after a relapse can make it hard for some people to get back on the right path.

Rather than beating yourself up over a relapse, the best way to get back on the road to recovery is to try and view your relapse as a learning tool. You can analyze why you relapsed to better understand your triggers and weaknesses so you know what you need to work on in your recovery. In fact, if you do the right things after a relapse, you’ll be able to learn from it and be stronger than before in your recovery.

Understanding the Causes of Drug and Alcohol Relapse

Unfortunately, relapse is fairly common among addicts and alcoholics, particularly in their first year of sobriety. There are many events and circumstances that can trigger or cause a relapse. A few of these include:[2]

  • Failing to develop a sober support system such as a 12-step program or another support group.
  • Stopping attending meetings that one relied on for sober support
  • Not making one’s sobriety a top priority causing the person to slip back into old behaviors that lead to substance abuse.
  • Not receiving ongoing care for a co-occurring mental health issue.
  • Getting involved with old people, places, and things that remind a person of their addiction.
  • Not being prepared for life after rehab.
  • Major life events such as loss of a loved one, natural disaster, or trauma.
  • Failing to complete one’s addiction treatment program.
  • Isolating from friends, family members, and supports.

The best way to prevent a relapse is to stay involved with a sober support network and participate in counseling. The combination of addiction therapy and peer support can help build a solid foundation for long-term recovery.

Steps to Take After a Relapse

If you or a loved one have relapsed, the first step is to determine whether or not treatment is needed, and, if so, which level of treatment, inpatient or outpatient, is required. For example, someone who slipped up one time and is committed to adjusting their recovery program may not require inpatient rehab. Instead, they may be able to get back on the right path with the help of their support group or an outpatient rehab program.

On the other hand, people who have fallen back into a compulsive and habitual pattern of drug or alcohol use should consider seeking a residential treatment center. Inpatient programs offer 24/7 support and monitoring so people can overcome their cravings, triggers, and underlying conditions that perpetuate their substance abuse.

If you or a loved one do decide to go back to rehab, you can expect your treatment program to place a heavy focus on both relapse prevention planning and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Using CBT and relapse prevention skills can help you change distorted thinking patterns and deal with cravings more effectively so you can stay clean and sober in the future.

After treatment, you or your loved one should continue using the strategies and coping skills you learned in rehab to better cope with difficult emotions that make you want to use substances. Ultimately, rather than focusing on your failures or shortcomings, the best way to recover after a relapse is to focus on transitioning back to regular life. This means staying in close contact with your sober support groups, possibly living in a sober living environment, and following up with your addiction counselor or recovery coach.

Get the Help You Need to Recover After a Relapse Today

It doesn’t matter if this is your first time going to treatment or your 10th – our drug and alcohol counselors are here to help you find a program that will meet your needs and (hopefully) be your last treatment facility. If you or a loved one are trying to figure out what to do after a relapse, pick up the phone and call one of our dedicated treatment providers today. We’re here to help.

References:

  1. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide
  2. https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction/understanding-addiction-relapse.aspx

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