Research has shown the influence of positive social support on decreasing relapse,2 so don’t listen to that voice that tells you that you should be strong enough to handle it on your own. Real strength comes from being honest and asking for the support that you need. The longer you continue to use your substance of choice, the more difficult it will become to stop. Addiction is so incredibly complex, and so are you as a human being. You’re changing and learning and growing every single day, and unfortunately, so is your addiction. It takes consistency and determination to find the right recovery program for you, and oftentimes that requires outside help.
Sometimes, stressful events can trigger a relapse, particularly if the addictive substance or behavior was used to cope with stress. But happy events can also trigger a relapse, especially if others celebrate with alcohol. If you test negative for COVID (after previously testing positive) and then develop symptoms and test positive again, that can be a sign of COVID rebound. Another way to tell that you have COVID rebound is if you start to feel worse again after feeling better, even without another positive test. However, staying sober in a world that offers alcohol so freely is harder than one can imagine.
How to Prevent Relapse
When such a significant event occurs, it is not just the event itself that directly impacts us. When we are talking about relapse, our reaction can make a world of difference. Each individual will likely need a https://ecosoberhouse.com/ different kind of support, however, identifying the area in which you need help is key. If you are struggling with mental health and this causes your relapses, therapy might be the support needed, for example.
- People can relapse when things are going well if they become overconfident in their ability to manage every kind of situation that can trigger even a momentary desire to use.
- Some people never fully recover, but they learn to cope with symptoms of the disease.
- Remember, a relapse does not mean you failed, it is part of a learning curve to ensure that in the long run your recovery works.
Chances are high that you didn’t achieve sobriety all by yourself. Maybe you went to rehab or found a supportive 12-step program. Perhaps you had a sponsor or a close friend or relative that you could open up to honestly, and who helped you stay accountable.
Remember that relapse is common.
So, essentially relapsing is a return to harmful coping mechanisms while recovering from addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease – recovery isn’t a cure, it’s more like a remission. Addiction can rear its ugly head at any time, which is why it’s so important to develop and maintain a strong support system, as well as a myriad of coping skills. The better prepared you are, the less catastrophic any future relapses will be.
Attention to sleep and healthy eating is minimal, as is attention to emotions and including fun in one’s life. Self-care helps minimize stress—important because the experience of stress what to do after a relapse often encourages those in recovery to glamorize past substance use and think about it longingly. Remember, if you are trying to quit, you should plan for and try to avoid relapse.
Developing Healthier Habits
During rehab, many people create specific plans for risky situations or times when they feel tempted to use drugs or drink alcohol. People in recovery from addiction may relapse for several reasons. Old memories can trigger intense cravings for the substance of abuse. People with unhealthy coping habits may believe that using alcohol or other drugs is the only way to relieve stress.
Rather, it is another step on your continuing path to recovery and a sign that you need additional support and help. Conversely, people with ineffective or poor coping responses (with decreased self-efficacy) can result in an initial lapse, particularly when there is the expectation that drug use will have a positive effect. This lapse, in turn, can result in feelings of guilt and failure, i.e., the “abstinence violation effect. This abstinence violation effect, along with a perceived positive outcome, can increase the probability of a relapse.
When leaving a treatment facility, most people will end up being reintroduced into the same environment which caused the substance abuse to begin with. When a significant life event occurs, it is not just the event itself that directly impacts us but how we react to the event in question—oftentimes, the latter makes a world of difference. Focus on your strengths and what has worked for you, not just your perceived “failure”. Physical ailments or injuries sometimes require narcotics, and this is a sadly common cause of relapse. If you’re in a situation where you need pain meds, be honest with your doctor and loved ones about your addiction. Opioids are particularly addictive and should be heavily supervised.
