People who are in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) often feel uncomfortable when thinking about dealing with relapse. Unfortunately, the statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reveal that 40-60 % of people in recovery experience relapse. Addiction is an illness, and as with any disease, relapse can occur. Understanding how to handle a relapse and what often triggers a relapse is beneficial for avoiding the possibility. Another essential component of recovery is realizing that relapse does not prevent long-term recovery if preparations and education are in place.
Understanding Relapse: Why It Happens and What It Means
Addiction relapse does not occur for a single reason or event but rather a series of emotional, mental, and physical components. Each component involves specific triggers that connect to substance use. Again, addiction is a chronic illness where relapses are possible for many reasons. When triggers occur and using the substance in reaction to an overwhelming situation is the most straightforward resolution, relapse occurs.
Those in recovery must always be proactive and vigilant in recognizing triggers. Overconfidence and lack of self-awareness can be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back and allows for relapse. Recovery and sobriety can be interrupted when physical illness occurs, mental health struggles pop up, or stressful situations arise. Having a relapse prevention plan is beneficial for dealing with relapse and into sobriety again.
Common triggers of relapse are:
- Stressful situations
- Anger, sadness, or loneliness
- Associating with people or places with connections to past substance use
- Complacency or overconfidence
- Physical pain, discomfort, or illness
- Peer pressure or influence
Acknowledge the Relapse and Seek Immediate Support
The first step to relapse is knowing how to handle a relapse by following a predetermined relapse prevention plan. It is essential to acknowledge the relapse immediately and not lose hope in regaining sobriety. Reaching out to a mentor, mental health professional, or other healthcare provider to establish sobriety again provides supportive measures to get back on track. Seeking immediate support will deter continual use of the substance and offer encouragement and compassionate understanding to regain sobriety.
The Importance of Professional Help: Why Returning to Rehab Can Make All the Difference
Professional help offers a secure lifeline to proceed with recovery. Typically, relapse produces feelings of shame, disappointment, failure, and panic, which are complicated feelings to deal with in a moment of insecurity. Relying on a healthcare professional or treatment professional to step back into sobriety through rehab may seem extreme, but it’s the best choice in case of relapse. Professionals are familiar with relapse and the challenges it presents.
Rebuilding Your Foundation: Therapy and Counseling Options
Revisiting the warning signs of relapse will help you rebuild your sober foundation. The Betty Ford-Hazeldon Foundation lists significant warning signs for relapse, which you need to watch for. When these signs occur, contacting a supportive wellness team member is imperative. Dealing with relapse involves taking immediate action when triggers arise.
The following are warning signs for relapse:
- Thoughts that recovery is not essential and there is a change in priorities
- Sudden compulsive behaviors
- Magical thinking
- Isolation and withdrawal
- Feelings of restlessness and irritability
- Discontent
- Emotional dysregulation
- Ignoring therapy and support groups
Revisiting regular therapy sessions, both individual and group, will stabilize and process the relapse. It is paramount to deal with shameful feelings and understand why relapse occurs. Knowing how to handle a relapse means being open and forthright with your support system and allowing people to help you in a time of need. Finding self-confidence through regaining sobriety is possible.
Reconnect with Your Support Network
Utilizing an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for a while may be beneficial. Reconnecting with your support network may mean spending some hours in rehab to regain your determination and confidence. Many IOP programs offer community resources that help overcome relapse. Recognizing that rehab programs and treatment teams are familiar with relapse situations and understand how to help will benefit future recovery.
Finding Strength in Your Journey: Remember, Recovery Is Possible
When dealing with relapse, it is essential to understand that future recovery is possible and relapse is part of recovery. Following a relapse prevention plan, which may need to undergo modification after a relapse, will assist in continuing sobriety. Relapse can be very dangerous and lead to overdose if an individual tries to use the same amount of the drug or alcohol that was in use during addiction. Overdose can be deadly in relapse.
Understanding how to handle a relapse depends on remembering that recovery is possible. The experience of relapse can build strength and emphasize the importance of staying in touch with a support system. Ongoing therapy will enhance recovery, be beneficial for future relapse prevention, and help evaluate the triggers that brought on the relapse. Every life journey has its challenges, and staying sober is possible as a long-term goal.
Get Back on Track After a Relapse with an Intensive Outpatient Program in Tennessee
Addiction is a chronic illness, and much like other illnesses, relapse occurs. Tennessee Valley Recovery in Tennessee understands that relapse is a part of recovery and offers programs to regain sobriety and continue recovery. Reconnect with the desire to be sober, which led to recovery after a relapse. Contact Tennessee Valley Recovery to speak with a professional who can support your efforts.