Almost every person in or after recovery from addiction is at risk of relapse. Relapsing is a common element of all chronic diseases, and addiction is alike. Similar to conditions like asthma and hypertension, addiction has no permanent cure. However, recovery from addiction or substance abuse is a process of achieving developmental milestones during personal growth. Therefore, it is crucial to learn preventive relapse techniques to experience a long-term sober life after recovery.
Here are the five tips to prevent addiction relapse:
- Attend and complete your comprehensive addiction treatment program
Quitting addiction on your own is challenging. However, enrolling yourself in an addiction treatment program and attending it with dedication is a practical way to succeed. It gives you an environment to focus all your energy on taking the maximum benefits from the recovery treatment program. The effort you put forth in the treatment decides the pace of your recovery journey. It helps you to achieve lifelong recovery and empowers you with the skills to prevent relapse.
- Develop and follow your aftercare plan
Aftercare refers to a routine plan you must follow after graduating from your treatment facility. Coming towards the completion of your treatment program, your counselor assists you in developing an aftercare plan. Adhering to this aftercare support plan helps you gain the positive after-effects of the treatment. Implementing a balanced diet with physical exercise and proper sleep can help you reduce the risk of relapse.
- Build a positive support network
Coping with cravings and controlling relapse is difficult when nobody is around to watch. However, It is imperative to surround yourself with optimistic people who will support you in a substance-free lifestyle. Joining a support group gives you the education, support, accountability you need to address the changes going inside you. The presence of peer support prevents relapse as it eliminates the feeling of being trapped or the risk of isolation.
- Know your triggers and avoid them
Triggers can arise out of both emotional trauma or physical surroundings. Even the reminders of your substance abuse can trigger a relapse during your recovery. One of the best ways to control or prevent triggers is to accept and stay aware of them. Preparing a list of all your potential triggers is an efficient way to gain self-awareness and avoid relapse. It helps you in understanding the negative consequences you can experience if you choose to lose control.
- Create a healthy schedule
Creating a healthy schedule is an excellent approach to develop a healthier lifestyle. The plan can include a timetable for all your treatment meetings and other relevant work and play activities. Creating an after-treatment schedule is necessary to continue the structural living that you followed during your recovery. It will motivate you to build a new life while incorporating constructive activities to fill your free time.
About us
If you are looking out for a way to start a better life, the Etowah Recovery Center is here for you. We aim to save lives by repairing the communities damaged by the dangerous obsession of substance abuse. We provide an array of counseling and treatment services in an interim residential setting. Our outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility is a perfect place for recovery because of its soothing surroundings.
