No matter how committed you are to recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, there is always a chance that you may experience a relapse. Relapsing makes many people feel anxiety, shame, or regret; but it is important to realize that many people end up relapsing at least once after rehab. Most people who relapse are able to get back on track to being successful in their sobriety. You may wonder how you get back to recovery after relapse.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of people in recovery end up relapsing at least once, which means that it is probably far more common than you think. What matters is not letting a relapse totally derail your sobriety. Instead, think of working to overcome the challenge as a part of your recovery.
What Causes Someone to Relapse?
Just as there isn’t just one reason that leads to a person becoming an addict, there is no one thing that triggers a relapse. There are a few things, however, that can make someone more likely to end up relapsing. These include:
Failing to make maintaining your sobriety a top priority.
If you aren’t making your sobriety your number one priority, you are more likely to relapse. Staying sober requires hard work and dedication, especially in the first year. Maintaining sobriety requires a continued commitment to
- Regularly attend meetings
- Communicate with your sponsor
- Attend counseling
- Have co-occurring mental health conditions diagnosed and addressed
Not having a strong support system.
One key to success for people just out of rehab is having a strong support system to turn to. Having a support network that is there to encourage you when times are tough is important. It can mean the difference between staying on the path to recovery and relapsing back into your old habits. A strong support network can also help you get back on the road to recovery after relapse. For those without a strong support family network, you can build one by finding support in meetings.
Going to rehab for friends or family members.
For some people, going to rehab isn’t something they do for themselves. Sometimes, rehab is something they do for their friends or family. This lack of commitment to quitting drugs or alcohol for individual health and well-being makes relapsing more likely.
Not being adequately prepared for life post-treatment.
One of the most important parts of your stay in rehab is preparing for your life outside of treatment. You’ll need to understand how things can derail your recovery, and make a plan. Learning to avoid things like unhealthy relationships to revisiting old haunts that can be triggering. Additionally, having an aftercare plan means that you continue to receive addiction treatment for as long as you need it.
What Should I Do After a Relapse?
If do relapse, you need to assess whether or not you need to go back to rehab. A one-time slip-up may not require returning to inpatient care. Instead, plan to attend regular group meetings and talking about what happened with your sponsor or other group members. Their support and advice may be just what you need to get back on track.
If, however, you have totally stopped going to your group meetings, and have returned to a consistent pattern of using drugs or alcohol, then you would likely benefit from returning to an inpatient or intensive outpatient rehab program. If you do return to rehab, your treatment plan should be changed to focus more on therapy. These tactics are the most effective at helping you to learn what your substance abuse triggers are and how to avoid them, as well as healthy ways to cope with stress.
Addiction Recovery in Dallas
At Casa Colina, we know exactly just how difficult it can be to stay on your treatment plan. We know how imperative it is to get the right care after relapsing. Casa Colina is here to help you get back on your treatment path, and set you up for future success. We know that the key to successfully avoiding relapse is to fully understand your addiction; how it affects the way that you think and act, and how small choices or actions can trigger relapse. That’s why we offer specialized drug rehab programs to help people recover from a relapse, and find an even stronger, more meaningful path to recovery.
If you have experienced a relapse, or are afraid you are going to relapse in the near future, contact us today. We are here to help by talking you through your options, and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for your individual needs. Don’t let a relapse make you give on on sobriety – find lasting recovery from your addiction with the help of Casa Colina’s treatment programs.
