Sometimes that takes a relapse to get us on the right track. It’s also important to make sure we are getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and paying attention to our emotions. Staying involved with our accountability team and the activities that help keep us accountable is necessary. We also need to make sure we are having some sober fun in our lives.
- Not only do you need support during and following treatment, you also need support when a relapse occurs.
- If you want to know what are the common reasons behind relapse and how to avoid them, check out my THIS ARTICLE.
- Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser.
- The important thing now is to take action to prevent it from turning back into a long-lasting habit.
- He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine.
Stress and pressure
It can provide temporary relief and a sense of control, but it ultimately does more harm than good. Recovery from self-harm involves learning alternative coping skills and finding healthier ways to express and manage emotions. Experiencing a self-harm relapse is a common part of many individuals’ recovery journeys. It can feel like a setback, but it is essential to remember that you are not alone and that help is drug addiction available. After you’ve booked an appointment at rehab, reach out to supportive friends and family, and tell them what’s happened.
Indicators of emotional relapse include:
- If you completed an inpatient program, you might benefit from returning for additional support.
- Choose a time when you can have a calm, private conversation.
- Having a better understanding of what causes relapse will make it easier to prevent it and treat it if it does occur.
- Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
- If you properly fuel your body and mind, you’ll prepare yourself to handle urges to use and keep yourself from high-risk situations.
Additionally, reaching out to a support group or attending 12-step meetings can help you stay focused and motivated. Mental relapse, in the context of addiction recovery, isn’t simply “thinking about using” again. It’s a more advanced stage in the relapse process, following emotional relapse, and characterized by obsessive and intrusive thoughts about returning to substance use. Reassess your warning signs and strengthen your coping strategies for managing stress, success, and challenges. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of psychotherapy that is very popular in addiction treatment. It helps identify addiction triggers and develop handling strategies.
Preventing Future Relapses
Use this experience to strengthen your recovery plan and address vulnerabilities you may have overlooked. Relapse can feel like a devastating setback, but it doesn’t have to define your recovery journey. The truth is, relapse happens to many people working toward sobriety. What matters most is how you respond and what steps you take next. Even though these statistics can seem daunting, understanding them is important. Recovery is a process of learning a new way to live and relapse can be a part of it.
Relapse is more common than most people realize, and what to do after a relapse it doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made. The seven steps below are here to help you pause, reflect, and take action — one honest step at a time. It’s painful, it’s frustrating, and it can feel like all your hard work just vanished.
Develop Healthy Habits
The right medication can have a great positive effect on long-term sobriety. And then one night, a coworker asks you to grab a drink after work. That’s the last thing you remember when you wake up in the hospital the next morning. Seeking help is not a sign of failure—it is a proactive step toward lasting recovery. Keeping a journal to track your emotions and experiences leading up to the relapse can be helpful.