Relapse is a normal occurrence to those who are recovering from addiction. And though it’s expected to happen at any stage of the recovery process, it can be prevented. The key to relapse prevention is to understand its symptoms and the causes of it. If it seems that relapse is imminent, check out these tips.
- Identify The Triggers
- Know Your Priorities
- Seek Help
- Reconnect
- Be Busy
If you’re in this situation, the first thing you need to do is to stop and examine your life to understand the circumstances that lead you to drink alcohol or take drugs again. In rehab centers, recovering addicts are taught how to identify the different addiction triggers. Knowing what triggers your compulsion to drink or do drugs can help you plan ways to overcome it.
After determining the triggers of your relapse, the next step is to categorize them into different priorities. Which trigger is the strongest and should be dealt with immediately? Which triggers severely affect you? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself. Afterwards, concentrate on how you can overcome the said trigger.
For some, the symptoms of relapse are too overwhelming for them to handle by themselves. In this case, it’s a good idea to talk with an addiction counselor or your 12-step sponsor. These people are trained to help you sort out what you’re going through. They can also provide tips for overcoming relapse.
Most addicts tend to isolate themselves from others even during and after they’ve recovered. This is because of fear of the stigma that people have on addicts. However, isolating one’s self isn’t healthy especially when recovering. So, take the time to reconnect with your family and other people with positive influences on you.
Being active is a great addiction recovery tool and is also helpful to those undergoing relapse. When someone is idle and alone, they tend to think too much and sometimes, these thoughts are no longer healthy. To avoid this, engage in non-addictive activities like sports and yoga. You can also enroll in different classes, take up a new hobby or engage in community service.