Relapse is seen by many mental health professionals and patients as an inescapable part of addiction recovery. Patients suffering from substance use disorders have a high rate of relapse events. Being informed and prepared for the risk of regression should be an essential component of any recovery or relapse prevention program. Relapse, alone, can cause a patient’s recovery to stall as well as result in an overdose. Fortunately, at Ashwood Recovery, we realize that a permanent cure necessitates the implementation of a thorough relapse prevention strategy.
How Does Having a Plan Help in Staying Sober?
- Emotional relapse: This is the first stage, during which a patient has for some reason stopped adhering to their own recovery regimen. Look for symptoms including prioritizing mental and physical self-care, erratic eating and sleeping habits, withdrawing from support systems, suppressing feelings, and exhibiting indications of anxiety and depression.
- Mental relapse: The patient is going through a period of ambivalence, in which they may want to stay clean yet feel the urge to use alcohol or drug. At this point, there are indications of attempting to bargain with oneself. Minimizing or idealizing the influence of one’s previous substance abuse, telling people in one’s support system false stories, and looking for a reason to relapse are all symptoms of this stage.
- Physical relapse: This stage is characterized by what people typically think of when they hear the word relapse. No matter the degree, amount, or frequency of use, once done a person needs to turn back to an addiction treatment program to re-establish sobriety.
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Benzo addiction treatment
- Cocaine addiction treatment
- Meth addiction treatment
- Marijuana abuse
What Are the Elements of a Relapse Prevention Plan?
Therapy is a common part of a relapse prevention plan. This treatment helps patients have self-confidence and the knowledge to properly protect themselves from stressors and situations when relapse is possible. In our substance abuse treatment programs, patients will learn about these tools and techniques:
- Coping skills: Therapists can help patients identify their substance use triggers and how to cope with being faced with them without relapsing.
- Clinical therapy: Access to excellent mental health care can help patients in recovery dealing with relapse. It is also a great way to grow as a person, whether or not you’re in recovery. Therapy sessions can expose the motivations of a patient’s behaviors and substance use. Part of relapse prevention is dealing with the thoughts and emotions that inhibit a patient’s growth beyond their use of substances.
- Lifestyle change: Therapists can help patients make adjustments in their life and routine that will encourage sobriety and prevent relapse triggers from affecting patients.