How to Prevent Relapse After Sobriety
Published On: December 31, 2019
Updated On: November 15, 2022
Next to seeking help for alcohol or drug use disorder, preventing relapse is the hardest part of drug treatment programs.
Overcoming a substance abuse dependency isn’t easy. Therefore, finding ways to protect your sobriety during rehabilitation will prepare you for challenging moments.
Lasting sobriety is achievable through a good support network and learning healthy coping skills for life’s challenges. Rehabilitation is a learning experience. It’s smart recovery, offering tools you can utilize beyond your program.
What Causes Relapse?
Several factors can push those battling substance use disorders to give up sobriety and return to drugs or alcohol. When supporting a loved one battling a dependency, understand that addiction is a chronic disease, not a choice.
Recognizing a loved one’s drug or alcohol dependency is a result of a brain disorder and not a conscious decision allows you to support them better.
Understanding triggering circumstances and situations will help prevent addiction relapse for yourself or a loved one.
Unrealistic Expectations
Having impossible demands for sobriety can cause undue stress when your expectations aren’t met. When those demands aren’t satisfied, it becomes easier to forfeit sobriety.
Over-Commitment
Viewing your sobriety as a “forever” commitment can be mentally daunting. The recovery process is a journey, and progress should be your goal. Look at sobriety as a day-to-day achievement, not a life-long sentence.
Unhealthy Eating
Your physical and mental health must be restored through proper nutrition and hydration. Today’s Dietitian reports that unhealthy eating can cause nutrient deficiencies that “can lead to depression, anxiety, and low energy symptoms,” leading to drug or alcohol abuse and relapse.
Financial Strain
Whatever your financial goals, your recovery and sobriety must come first. Take inventory of your financial status by outlining your assets, debts, and expenses.
Knowing where you stand financially is the only way to move in the right direction. Create a budget that allows you to monitor your spending and prepare for unexpected expenses that would otherwise cause extreme stress.
Fatigue
Building a healthy, sober life takes energy. Don’t be discouraged if you’re too tired after protecting your sobriety for the day to acknowledge the victory.
Fatigue is your body telling you it’s time to rest. Don’t mistake that feeling for the need for a drink or stimulant. One of the best ways to prepare for these challenges is through a support system.
Our drug specialists at Soul Surgery Rehabilitation will design a personalized approach to drug or alcohol treatment for you. Your journey to sobriety is unlike anyone else’s, so your plan for long-term sobriety should be just as unique.
Keys to Preventing Relapse
When you’re ready to create a life of sobriety, and positive experiences, desire alone will not prevent relapse. You must have a relapse prevention plan to protect the sober life you’re creating.
Recognize the triggers in your life that push you toward drug or alcohol use. Have the courage to name each trigger that will increase the risk of relapse, including family members or a friend.
Spending time with those who continue to use drugs will stop you from averting an addiction relapse. Put space between you and old acquaintances who still depend on drugs.
Accept help at an Arizona rehab center from a counselor, support group, or 12-step group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Recognize when you need to reach out for support to gain relapse prevention strategies to get through challenging moments.
choose soul surgery for long-term sobriety
Soul Surgery helps you achieve sobriety through custom addiction treatment plans, inpatient or outpatient programs, and sober living facilities. Our caring staff will equip you with the physical and mental tools necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety. You don’t have to handle avoiding relapse alone.
Contact the experienced team at Soul Surgery Rehabilitation to learn how you can protect your sobriety.
