Many people believe that if they relapse, then it means that they have failed in their recovery journey and will never make a full recovery. This is not true.

Relapse rates for people who struggle with alcohol or drug abuse are similar to those for other chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and asthma.

If you are struggling with addiction and find that a relapse happened, it doesn’t mean that your drug addiction recovery efforts have been wasted. Even if not being able to stay sober feels like a major failure, it doesn’t discount the progress you have made during recovery.

Long-term sobriety requires acknowledging that addressing addictive behaviors can be difficult and may involve ongoing participation in a recovery program.

In this blog post, we will discuss the many different reasons why relapse occurs and how you can create a relapse prevention plan.

Myths about relapsing that need to be debunked

• If I relapse, then it means my recovery is over and future substance abuse treatment is pointless
• If I slip and take a single drink or drug dose, then my addiction is going to come roaring back with all of the same problems that existed during my full-blown addiction
• If I relapse once, it will happen again

What causes people to relapse?

A relapse is defined as using addictive substances after having previously engaged in substance-free behavior for a period of time. Long-term recovery from addiction often involves a series of relapses, with the individual experiencing multiple lapses throughout their life.

There are many reasons why someone might relapse if they are struggling with an addiction.

Relapse triggers include:

• unresolved mental health issues
• pressure from friends or family members
• chronic pain
• poor coping skills
• the impact of other addictions like a gambling addiction
• intense cravings or physical withdrawal symptoms
• not knowing how to deal with negative emotions
• a lack of suitable treatment options
• no relapse prevention plan
• an inadequate support system or treatment provider

How to avoid relapsing

Relapse is a normal part of recovery but can also be dangerous. When people recovering from substance use disorder relapse, they are putting themselves at risk for overdose because their bodies are no longer adapted to their previous level of drug use.

To avoid relapsing if you are struggling with an addiction, then you must take control of your mental health and create a relapse prevention plan.

If you know what causes your cravings or triggers them, then managing these will be much easier if they do occur. This might mean avoiding certain people who cause you to relapse or avoiding certain situations that cause cravings. If your triggers cannot be avoided, then it might mean using other coping strategies like positive affirmations or breathing exercises.

If you have been sober for a long time and are struggling with intense negative emotions from the past, then you must find a treatment program that can support you through this.

What are the warning signs of a relapse?

Every relapse will be different depending on what triggered it but there are some common warning signs to watch out for.

These include:

• physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, or shakiness
• cravings for your drug of choice
• negative feelings such as guilt, anger, regret, or sadness
• feeling overwhelmed by stress
• self-harm or suicidal thoughts

If you do experience any of these, then you must seek help.

Professional treatment providers can provide medical advice and help you get back on track. Newer treatments have even been designed with preventing relapses in mind.

Creating a relapse prevention plan

Many different elements could be included in a relapse prevention plan.

These include:

• setting healthy boundaries with friends and family, particularly if they use drugs or alcohol
• attending family therapy sessions so that your loved ones can actively support your lasting recovery
• developing new hobbies for your sober life
• cultivating a support system that may include an online community, treatment providers, and local support groups
• establishing a stable foundation in areas of your life such as housing and employment
• exploring new treatment options

If I relapse, then what?

Planning ahead can help you reduce the risks and impact of your relapse if it does happen and get you back on track faster. Even if it is a full-blown relapse, there are many things that you can do to help yourself recover from it as quickly as possible.

These include:

• seeking help from support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or treatment centers like Transformations Treatment Center
• acknowledging that your relapse is a part of addiction and that it does not mean failure
• rebuilding trust with the people around you who support your journey to sobriety by taking responsibility for what happened
• reducing or eliminating triggers for a potential future relapse
• speaking with a substance addiction professional to go back to treatment, modify it, or try another treatment

Questions to ask yourself include:

• What triggered your relapse?
• How can you deal more effectively with negative emotions such as guilt, anger, and sadness if they arise?
• What coping strategies work for you if these feelings become overwhelming?
• What support would help you to get through this?
• What should other people in your life know about your relapse prevention or recovery plan?

Where to go for help

The important thing to remember is that recovery is possible for anyone seeking addiction treatment, even for the recently relapsed.

The truth is that substance abuse is on the rise. Drug and alcohol addiction can affect anyone, and many people need help but don’t know where to turn for addiction treatment.

Transformations Treatment Center is a leading substance use rehab center that offers effective treatment programs for substance abuse. Our treatment programs help patients recover from substance addiction by addressing all aspects of recovery including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

We have helped thousands of clients enter treatment and overcome their struggles with alcohol or drugs using evidence-based treatments.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction recovery, contact us today.