Relapse Prevention: Strategies to Avoid Triggers

For a shopaholic trying to follow a budget, a relapse could be going on a full shopping spree. You might also list some specific what is alcoholism goals that you hope to achieve in the upcoming months or years. In just 2 minutes, you can speak with an admissions specialist, verify your insurance, and explore treatment options that work for you. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Identify specific actions that help manage cravings, such as deep breathing, exercise, or journaling.

Rule 1: Change Your Life

Clinical experience has shown that this stage usually lasts Addiction Relapse: Risk Factors, Coping and Treatment 2 to 3 years. Genetic predisposition, neurochemical imbalances, or alterations in brain function due to chronic substance use can make some individuals more susceptible to relapse. Major life stressors or transitions, such as job loss, relationship problems, financial difficulties, or significant life changes, can increase vulnerability to relapse.

• Remember, if you are trying to quit, you should plan for and try to avoid relapse.
• There are other self-help groups, including Women for Sobriety, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, Smart Recovery, and Caduceus groups for health professionals.
• Additionally, a lack of social support and untreated mental health issues can exacerbate the risks of returning to substance use.
• Some substances, such as alcohol, can be dangerous to detox from alone without medical intervention.
• Knowing these stages can help you recognize warning signs in yourself or others.

What are the stages of a relapse?

• Recovery involves understanding that relapses indicate a need for treatment adjustment rather than representing personal failure.
• Part of challenging addictive thinking is to encourage clients to see that they cannot be good to others if they are first not good to themselves.
• As well as emotions that impact substance use, you may recognize particular situations or environments that cause cravings.
• Incorporating insights gained from relapses into a personalized recovery plan is vital.
• It is important to know that relapse does not represent a moral weakness.

Also critical is building a support alcoholism symptoms network that understands the importance of responsiveness. Not least is developing adaptive ways for dealing with negative feelings and uncertainty. Those ways are essential skills for everyone, whether recovering from addiction or not—it’s just that the stakes are usually more immediate for those in recovery. Many experts believe that people turn to substance use—then get trapped in addiction—in an attempt to escape from uncomfortable feelings. Reflect on what triggered the relapse—the emotional, physical, situational, or relational experiences that immediately preceded the lapse. Inventory not only the feelings you had just before it occurred but examine the environment you were in when you decided to use again.

Common triggers for relapse

Maintaining a positive mindset will help you remain sober and avoid relapsing in the future. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports a 40-60% relapse rate for individuals with substance use disorders. In comparison, asthma and https://ecosober.com/ high blood pressure have a 50-70% relapse rate. When recovering addicts are in a good mood, they may want to enhance that feeling.