It is common for a drug addict to quit a number of times before staying clean long term. Some people have gone through rehab several times or tried to quit on their own, but still started back abusing drugs. For these reasons, relapse is a major concern for many patients entering rehab. Read on to find out how a relapse prevention program helps with maintaining long-term sobriety.
Provides You With a Plan
A relapse prevention program is an asset to every recovering addict. It is an essential part of an addiction treatment program. To maintain sobriety, you must have a plan in place to prevent yourself from using drugs. This plan is personalized to fit your situation and allows you to work on the underlying cause of your addiction at the same time. It is developed and refined as you go through treatment and for the rest of your life. Attending a rehab program provides you with support when you feel the urge to use.
Access to a Support System
It is common to struggle with difficult emotions and start in a downward spiral. Some addicts tend to go back to bad habits to deal with the pain. After going through treatment, you can recognize when you are about to relapse.
Substance abuse rehabilitation facilities connect you with a counselor and sponsor. Your counselor will also tell you to surround yourself with people who support your recovery. This group should be healthy people going through recovery and healthy people who are not addicts. Regardless, your support system should be made up of people who encourages your sobriety.
They can help you to navigate through difficult experiences and feelings. Your support system can recognize when you are about to relapse. If you are having a bad day, then you should call and talk to your sponsor.
Be Discipline & Consistent
You must be discipline to overcome addiction. It means going to AA meetings, group counseling, individual counseling sessions and engaging in healthy alternative activities. Examples of healthy alternative exercises are participating in meditation, attending college and going to aerobic classes.
You may have to attend AA meetings every day and it can take a physical toll. It forces you to constantly think about your addiction, which is why you cannot give up on the program.
Relapsing is a part of recovery. However, you can always reach out for support and return to treatment. Help is always available through resources such as ONTRACK.
Share11 January 2018
From the time I was born to the time I graduated high school, my parents were very overprotective of me and shielded me from all of the "bad" things in the world. When I decided to go to college out of state, they wanted me to stay closer to home, but gave into my wishes eventually. Once I got settled at college, I realized just how attached I was to my parents. I began to feel so homesick that I almost quit before the first semester ended. I decided to visit a counselor to see if she could help me get through the semester, and after just a couple of visits, I began actually enjoying my time away from home. I know there are others in tough situations like I was who need guidance, so I decided to start a blog to share my tips for coping with stressful situations.
