Like any other step in substance abuse recovery, relapsing is possible, but it’s not the end of your journey. A physical relapse occurs when a person goes back to using the substances after a period of sobriety. But before a physical relapse happens, there are other types of relapses usually precede the physical relapse where a person begins using alcohol or substances again.
Most Common Addiction Relapse Triggers
- Relapse is emotionally painful for those in recovery and their families.
- Stress-relieving techniques are critical for coping in sustained recovery.
- But by looking at your progress as a whole, you can see that you’re still on an upward trend.
- Since cravings do not last forever, engaging in conversation about the feelings as they occur with someone who understands their nature can help a person ride out the craving.
Understanding the psychological aspects, such as fears of not measuring up or being judged, can help individuals address deeper issues that may threaten their sobriety. Frustration can stem from perceived setbacks or the challenge of managing triggers and stressors without reverting to old habits. In other words, it is a person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation. As Bandura and other researchers have since demonstrated, self-efficacy can have an impact on everything from psychological states to behavior and motivation. At the time, they felt either overwhelmed, scared, disappointed, confused, or simply unsure of what to do next. Granted, it will feel like a serious setback to you, and it will undoubtedly raise internal questions, such as “What will happen if I can never conquer this?
- Establishing a consistent routine is crucial for reinforcing positive behaviors and reducing the risk of relapse.
- For example, they may choose to smoke marijuana to relieve stress after a year of sobriety or have a glass of wine with friends because they feel like they can manage it without going overboard.
- Professional intervention can take various forms, from therapy to medication, tailored to individual needs.
- A critical step in overcoming this stage of relapse is to practice self-care in its physical, psychological, and emotional aspects.
A Better Way to “Deal” Than Drinking (or Drugging)
This isn’t just to get back in recovery but to keep you safe, as relapses often lead to accidental overdoses. But we must give ourselves some grace and be compassionate to ourselves. And figuring out which type of relapse you experienced can help you reflect on your experiences, determine your needs, and help you move forward. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Upon relapse, some individuals may require inpatient treatment to stop using and manage symptoms of withdrawal. Focusing on emotional wellness each day reduces restlessness, irritability, and discontent, which can build up over time and lead to relapse. Sleep regulates and restores every function of the human body and mind.
Types & Stages of Relapse
Research identifying relapse patterns in adolescents recovering from addiction shows they are especially vulnerable in social settings when they trying to enhance a positive emotional state. What is more, negative feelings can create a negative mindset that erodes resolve and motivation for change and casts the challenge of recovery as overwhelming, inducing hopelessness. A relapse or even a lapse might be interpreted as proof that a person doesn’t have what it takes to leave addiction behind. Helping people understand whether emotional pain or some other unacknowledged problem is the cause of addition is the province of psychotherapy and a primary reason why it is considered so important in recovery.
Relapse Is a Part of Recovery
Therapy not only gives people insight into their vulnerabilities but teaches them healthy tools for handling emotional distress. That view contrasts with the evidence that addiction itself changes the brain—and stopping use changes it back. Use of a substance delivers such an intense and pleasurable “high that it motivates people to repeat the behavior, and the repeated use rewires the brain circuitry in ways that make it difficult to stop. Evidence shows that eventually, in the months after stopping substance use, the brain rewires itself so that craving diminishes and the ability to control behavior increases. The brain is remarkably plastic—it shapes and reshapes itself, adapts itself in response to experience and environment.
With each setback, you can gain strength and insight, making you more equipped to continue on your path to recovery. One of the last, but by no means the least, important steps is to build up a strong social support system. Feeling alone or like you’re struggling by yourself can be extremely discouraging. By creating what to do after a relapse a network of friends, family members, and other people in recovery, you can source the support and encouragement you need to stay sober even when it’s hard. Joining an aftercare rehab program could give you the information and support you need to identify and deal with triggers that may lead to relapse.
The Role of Medication in Addiction Recovery
- Your doctor or an addiction treatment center has treatments to control withdrawal symptoms.
- It involves adapting strategies and learning from experiences, including setbacks.
- Recognizing that relapse is not indicative of failure but rather a common part of the recovery process is crucial.
- Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, shakiness, and sweating can be so difficult that you want to use drugs again just to stop them.
- Then, they might believe that drugs and alcohol will feel good and alleviate these negative feelings, and this chain of events can lead to a full-blown relapse where a person returns to uncontrolled use.
- A relapse is a sustained return to heavy and frequent substance use that existed prior to treatment or the commitment to change.
It may be the right time for them to consider The Recovery Village. The Recovery Village offers helpful treatments for people at all stages of recovery and relapse. The best feature of these treatment options is that your loved one does not have to settle for just one choice. Many addiction treatments can occur simultaneously, so your loved one can attend professional addiction treatment and in-person support groups while utilizing online support options as well.
Addiction Relapse: Risk Factors, Coping & Treatment Options
Surrounding yourself with people who encourage your sobriety and respect your journey is essential. By leveraging the strength of support networks, you can enhance your resilience and maintain momentum in your recovery. For instance, naltrexone has been shown to lower the risk of relapse in alcohol use disorders, with several needed-to-treat to prevent a return to any drinking. All of these things may be important for you on your path to recovery following a relapse, but you know yourself best, and what you as an individual might need to focus on the most. Just remember that relapse can be just a stepping stone on your long-term road to recovery.
Cultivating Consistency for Sustained Recovery
