Relapse prevention

Why Does Relapse Happen?

• Negative Emotions: Experiencing emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration can trigger a relapse. Negative feelings are often mistaken as failures, but they are natural experiences that can lead to personal growth.
• Lack of Coping Skills: Without effective coping mechanisms, individuals may turn to substances to handle stress. Negative thinking, such as fear and self-doubt, can also hinder the recovery process and must be addressed as part of relapse prevention strategies.

Relapse prevention

Some Relapse Prevention techniques: Practical tips and tools to handle cravings, stressful situation, and life changes in early recovery

Understanding Relapse

Relapse is a common phenomenon in the recovery process from addiction. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that can be triggered by various factors. Understanding relapse is crucial in developing effective relapse prevention strategies. By gaining insight into why relapse happens, individuals can better equip themselves with the tools and coping skills needed to maintain their sobriety.

What Is Relapse?

Relapse is a return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence. It is often a gradual process, marked by warning signs and triggers that precede the actual use. While relapse can be disheartening, it is important to view it not as a failure but as an opportunity to learn and grow. Recognizing the signs early and understanding the underlying causes can help in taking proactive steps to prevent future relapses.

Why Does Relapse Happen?

Relapse can occur for a variety of reasons, each contributing to the complexity of the recovery journey:

• Triggers: People, places, and things associated with past substance use can evoke strong cravings and urges.
• Stress: Unmanaged stress can lead to feelings of overwhelm, making relapse more likely.
• Negative Emotions: Unaddressed negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger can contribute to relapse.
• Lack of Coping Skills: Inadequate coping skills and strategies can make it difficult to manage triggers and cravings effectively.
• Mental Health: Underlying mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can increase the risk of relapse.

Understanding these factors is essential in developing a robust relapse prevention plan that includes healthy coping skills and effective strategies to manage stress and negative emotions.

Stages of Relapse

Relapse is not a single event but a process that unfolds in stages. Recognizing these stages can help individuals take timely action to prevent a full-blown relapse. The stages of relapse can be broken down into three main categories: emotional, mental, and physical.

Emotional, Mental, and Physical Relapse

• Emotional Relapse: This stage is characterized by poor self-care, negative emotions, and a lack of coping skills. Warning signs include isolation, anxiety, and irritability. During this stage, individuals may not be actively thinking about using substances, but their emotions and behaviors set the stage for a potential relapse.
• Mental Relapse: In this stage, individuals start to actively think about substance use. They may experience cravings, obsessive thinking about using, and rationalization of why it would be okay to use again. Warning signs include fantasizing about past use, lying, and planning a relapse.
• Physical Relapse: This stage is marked by the actual use of substances. Warning signs include increased tolerance, loss of control, and neglect of responsibilities. Physical relapse is the culmination of the emotional and mental stages, where the individual succumbs to the urge to use.

Understanding these stages is crucial in developing effective relapse prevention strategies. By recognizing the warning signs and triggers at each stage, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent relapse and maintain their recovery. Utilizing relapse prevention tools and seeking support from treatment programs can provide the necessary guidance and encouragement to stay on the path to sobriety.

Some techniques for relapse prevention to stay away from your addiction

Staying on the path to long-term sobriety and recovery takes constant vigilance and preparation. Relapse is always a risk, especially in the first year of recovery when urges and cravings can be most challenging.

Here are some practical relapse prevention techniques to help you handle difficult situations and life changes during early recovery:

• Identify and avoid triggers - Be aware of people, places and things that commonly trigger your substance use. Make a plan to avoid or minimise exposure, especially during early recovery.

• Manage cravings - When cravings strike, try deep breathing, sipping water, calling a support person/sponsor or leaving the situation altogether. Distract yourself with a different activity to ride out the urge.

• Modify routines - Establish a new daily schedule that replaces substance use times with healthy alternatives like exercise, mealtimes or hobbies. Maintaining a healthy diet is also crucial for emotional stability and overall self-care practices.

• Reach out for support - Talk to your rehab counsellors, support group, sponsor or family members when you need help or encouragement. Isolation greatly increases relapse risk.

• Prepare for high risk situations - Make a plan for how you’ll handle common triggers like social events, holidays, stressful days, etc. Practice and rehearse what you’ll say if offered drugs or alcohol.

• Avoid old environments - In early recovery, try to avoid old pubs, clubs or places you associated with substance use. Those connections to your past use need to be broken.

• Develop new coping skills - Learning relapse prevention skills is essential. Find healthy ways to deal with stress, boredom and difficult emotions that don’t involve substances. Consider exercise, meditation, journaling and more.

• Seek prompt help - If you find yourself thinking about relapse, reach out for help immediately. Rehab centers like us at Findrehab can support you through a relapse event and help get you back on track.

What to do to start the process with coping skills

For confidential advice and support on relapse prevention, treatment options and rehab centers, contact the Findrehab team on 02031484945 or [email protected]. Our specialists are here to help make your recovery journey as smooth and successful as possible. Relapse prevention therapy can be integrated into your treatment plan to provide strategies and skills to cope with potential triggers and challenges, promoting long-term sobriety.