What Causes a Drug and Alcohol Relapse?
Relapses in drug and alcohol addiction can be triggered by several things, such as physical, emotional, and environmental cues. The following are some typical reasons for and alcohol relapses:
Stress
Stress is a common cause of drug and alcohol relapse. Complex life events, such as job loss, relationship problems, or financial issues, can lead to feeling overwhelmed and wanting to escape through substance use.
Social Pressure
Attending parties or gatherings with friends who use drugs or alcohol can trigger a relapse. It can be challenging to resist the temptation to use when surrounded by others who are using substances.
Mental Health Issues
Co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can make relapse more likely. These problems may continue to serve as relapse triggers if they are not addressed in therapy.
Lack of Support
It might be challenging to keep sober when there is no support from friends, family, or a recovery community. A solid support network is essential for avoiding relapse.
Overconfidence
Overconfidence in one’s capacity to withstand the impulse to use alcohol or drugs can be a trap that results in relapse. It’s important to stay vigilant and prioritize one’s recovery even after a period of successful abstinence.
Physical Pain
Prescription painkiller use might result from physical discomfort or long-term medical issues, which can set off a relapse in people with a history of substance abuse. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process, and it doesn’t mean the treatment program was ineffective or the person is weak. Relapse can be an opportunity to reflect on the experience and adjust the treatment strategy to prevent it from happening again.
Types of Relapse
There are different types of relapse that an individual may experience after rehab, including:
Emotional Relapse
Emotional relapse occurs when an individual’s emotions and behaviors make it difficult for them to maintain their recovery. This type of relapse is characterized by negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and defensiveness. During an emotional relapse, a person may start neglecting self-care, isolate themselves, and engage in risky behaviors.
Mental Relapse
Mental relapse occurs when an individual begins to think about using drugs or alcohol again. This type of drug relapse is characterized by internal conflict, with the individual vacillating between wanting to use and not wanting to use. During a mental relapse, the individual may start to fantasize about drug abuse or alcohol abuse, and may even begin to plan out how they would obtain and use the substance.
Physical Relapse
Physical relapse occurs when an individual actually uses drugs or alcohol again. This type of relapse is the most obvious and is the result of the individual not being able to resist the urge to use. Physical relapse can occur after emotional and mental relapse, or it can occur suddenly without any warning signs.
Emotional Relapse Prevention Skills
After completing rehab, there are several emotional relapse prevention skills that individuals in recovery can practice to reduce the risk of relapse. Here are some other mindfulness-based relapse prevention strategies that may be helpful:
Practice Self-care
Self-care is essential to preserving emotional well-being and avoiding relapse. Be careful to obtain enough rest, maintain a good diet, exercise frequently, and have free time to partake in enjoyable hobbies.
Learn and Practice Coping Skills
Coping mechanisms are methods that can assist you in controlling unpleasant feelings and demanding circumstances. Typical coping mechanisms include meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing.
Connect with Others
A strong support group therapy network is essential for avoiding emotional relapse. Be around people who are encouraging of your rehabilitation, and think about attending a support group to meet people who have experienced similar things.
Manage Stress
It’s important to have stress management techniques to avoid emotional relapse, as stress can often trigger it. This could entail using relaxation techniques, doing things to reduce stress, or, if necessary, getting professional assistance.
Be Aware of Your Triggers
Knowing your unique emotional relapse triggers is crucial to preventing them from occurring. Identify the circumstances or feelings that could lead to a relapse and create a strategy for handling them if they do.
Seek Professional Help
Do not hesitate to seek professional assistance if you are experiencing an emotional relapse. You can get assistance and direction from a therapist or counselor to keep moving toward recovery. Contact us to find a doctor or therapist who can help with emotional relapse prevention in Massachusetts. By practicing these emotional relapse prevention skills, individuals in recovery can increase their chances of maintaining sobriety and living a healthy, fulfilling life.
Ways to Prevent Relapse
Relapse can happen to anyone and it should not be considered a failure. There are several strategies that can be adopted to prevent relapse. Some of the ways to prevent relapse include,
Attend Support Group Meetings
Support group meetings provide a sense of community and accountability that can help prevent relapse.
Continue with Aftercare
Aftercare, such as therapy or counseling, can help individuals in recovery identify and address potential triggers for relapse.
Develop Healthy Coping Skills
Engaging in healthy coping abilities, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling, can help individuals manage stress and emotions in a healthy way.
Avoid Triggers
Avoiding people, places, and situations that are associated with drug or alcohol abuse can help prevent relapse.
Take Care of Physical Health
Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can help improve overall physical health, which can support recovery.
Build a Strong Support System
Having a strong support system of friends, family, and peers can provide encouragement and accountability during recovery.
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help individuals stay present and aware of their thoughts and emotions, which can help prevent relapse.
Develop Hobbies and Interests
Engaging in hobbies and interests can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which can help prevent relapse.
Learn to Manage Stress
Learning stress management techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, can help individuals cope with stress without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Helping Patients: Ten Clinical Relapse Prevention Strategies
Relapse is a common issue during recovery from drug addiction. Over a period of time, several techniques and strategies have been formulated to prevent relapse. Clinical relapse prevention strategies that can be used to get treatment outcomes and help patients during their recovery from drug addiction include,
Psycho-education
Educating patients about the nature of addiction and the relapse process can help them understand their triggers and vulnerabilities.
Identify and Manage Triggers
Help patients identify and manage their triggers by developing a plan for handling situations that may lead to relapse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT can help patients change their negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to addiction.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can help patients increase self-awareness and manage stress.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing can help patients identify and strengthen their reasons for wanting to maintain sobriety.
Contingency Management
Contingency management can incentivize patients to stay sober, such as rewards for passing drug tests or attending support group meetings.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT can help patients manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, reducing the risk of relapse.
Family Therapy Program
Family therapy programs involve family members in therapy in an effort to help patients build a stronger support system and address any family-related triggers.
Peer Support
Encouraging patients to attend support group meetings or participate in peer support programs can provide a sense of community and accountability.
Continuing Care
Continuing care, such as regular check-ins with a therapist or participation in aftercare programs, can provide ongoing support and help prevent relapse. By using these clinical relapse prevention tools and strategies, healthcare professionals can help patients build a strong foundation for recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.
Join a Support Group)
Joining a support group after rehab can prevent relapse by providing community, accountability, emotional support, and encouragement for sobriety. Additionally, support groups can provide coping strategies, new relationships, and ongoing education about addiction and recovery. There are various types of support groups available, such as 12-step programs, SMART Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery. It’s essential to find a group that feels like a good fit and attend meetings regularly for the best results. Overall, joining a support group can increase the chances of maintaining sobriety and living a fulfilling life.
Request a 100% Confidential Callback
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and mental health problems, contact our drug and alcohol rehab center in the Greater Boston area to talk confidentially with an addiction specialist. For immediate help, call (978) 878-3677 or fill out the form below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
"*" indicates required fields
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a technique that can help prevent relapse after rehab by focusing on the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness meditation has many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, building self-awareness, improving impulse control, developing emotional regulation, and increasing self-acceptance and compassion. By incorporating mindfulness meditation into their daily routine, individuals can develop skills to maintain sobriety and lead healthy and fulfilling life. Resources such as books, apps, and classes are available for learning mindfulness meditation.
Make An Emergency Contact List
An emergency contact list can be a valuable tool for individuals seeking to prevent relapse after rehab. It is a list of trusted people, professionals, support groups, and crisis hotlines that individuals can contact in case of an emergency or if they feel at risk of relapse. By including individuals who are supportive and understanding of their situation, individuals can have access to the support they need to handle challenging situations. The emergency contact list should be kept in a safe and easily accessible place, and it’s essential to update the list and inform the individuals regularly. Having a plan in place can help individuals feel more prepared and confident in their recovery journey.
Practice Self-Awareness
Practicing self-awareness is a crucial technique for individuals looking to prevent relapse after rehab. It involves recognizing one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions and how they may impact one’s recovery journey. To practice self-awareness, individuals should identify their triggers, monitor their thoughts and feelings, practice mindfulness, and seek feedback from trusted individuals. By doing so, individuals can gain insight into their behavior and develop strategies to avoid relapse. Self-awareness should be a part of an individual’s daily routine and integrated into their overall recovery plan.
Learning from Setbacks
To prevent relapse after rehab, it’s important to learn from setbacks such as temptation or relapse. Individuals can reflect on the situation, learn from their mistakes, seek support, practice self-compassion, and use setbacks as motivation to continue working towards their recovery goals. By doing so, they can gain insight into their triggers and behavior and develop strategies to prevent future relapses. It’s important to approach setbacks with a growth mindset and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow in the recovery journey.
Don’t Bend the Rules
To prevent relapse after leaving a rehab or treatment facility, it’s crucial for individuals to prioritize self-care. Self-care activities include taking care of both physical and emotional health, such as following a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga. Practicing self-care also means setting boundaries and avoiding situations that can trigger substance use. People in recovery must prioritize their own needs and engage in activities that bring them joy and relieve stress. By prioritizing self-care, individuals can promote their overall well-being and decrease the likelihood of relapse. In addition, it’s important to seek support from loved ones and professionals as a part of self-care. Seeking help when feeling overwhelmed or experiencing cravings, or simply communicating regularly with supportive individuals, can be helpful. By focusing on both physical and emotional self-care, individuals in recovery can increase their chances of long-term success in maintaining sobriety.
Abstinence Stage
Preventing relapse after rehab involves the abstinence stage, which requires avoiding drug or alcohol use and developing a new lifestyle that supports sobriety. This stage can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms, triggers, and cravings. Moreover, individuals may benefit from attending group therapy, therapy, and recovery programs. They can also develop coping skills like meditation, exercise, or creative activities to manage stress and triggers. Maintaining sobriety requires ongoing effort and commitment, but focusing on the benefits of sobriety and the progress made so far can help individuals stay motivated.
Get Answers to Your Questions Now
Seek Help Today
Rehab refers to the process of treating addiction and helping individuals recover from substance abuse. After completing rehab, it is important to take steps to prevent relapse, which is the return to using drugs or alcohol after a period of abstinence. Different strategies such as self-care, mindfulness meditation, joining a support group, practicing self-awareness, and learning from setbacks can be used to prevent relapse. Moreover, it is also essential to have an emergency contact list and avoid bending the rules. It is important to seek professional help if there are signs of relapse, as it ensures a long-term recovery from addiction and helps individuals suffering from addiction lead a fulfilling life.
