Preventing relapse is one of the most important long-term goals for people in recovery. Addiction relapse prevention is a big focus during addiction treatment, especially in the aftercare planning stage. Not everyone faces the same triggers and stressors once treatment ends. Thus, it is key for each individual to figure out how they can best prevent relapse for themselves. One way to support yourself is to access a relapse prevention counseling center. These resources are geared specifically toward helping someone avoid relapse through how they counsel people. You can also do a number of things on your own to prevent relapse.
Learn more about relapse prevention therapy by contacting Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 or via our online form.
How to Prevent Addiction Relapse
Learning how to prevent addiction relapse is a part of the recovery process. It’s not a single skill or a thing you can learn in one therapy session. It is a process of figuring out your unique triggers and how you can effectively cope with them. A single relapse cannot erase all the progress achieved through treatment. But it is always a setback. The good news is that relapse is avoidable. Here are five ways to support addiction relapse prevention.
Remain in a Support Network
Recovery support groups are an essential element in long-term recovery. They provide safe, sober activities, peer support, and connections to resources. Be sure to continue attending support group meetings. Invest in your support network, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from members of your group.
Tackle Your Triggers With Positive Coping Mechanisms
You probably spent a lot of time during therapy and aftercare planning and identifying your triggers. But for many people, it does not feel real until they exit treatment and have to face their triggers head-on in the real world. Common triggers include:
- Boredom
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Peer pressure
- Environmental cues
Sometimes, triggers can be avoided altogether. But if it is not possible to eliminate or avoid a trigger, put a plan in place to address it. For instance, if boredom is your addiction trigger, have an action plan ready to implement when you feel boredom taking over. Maybe that means calling or texting a friend or else going for a walk or having something on hand to engage you and distract you from letting boredom spiral into drug use.
Remember Your Physical Needs
Many of the most common addiction triggers are at least somewhat related to how well someone takes care of themselves physically. It is essential that you take good care of yourself in order to prevent addiction relapse. That involves eating healthy, balanced meals, sleeping an adequate amount each evening, and regularly engaging in physical activity.
Ask For Help
Just because you completed formal treatment does not mean you no longer need help. It’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s recommended. Remaining in a support network and understanding how you should tackle your triggers are both connected to asking for help. If you understand what you need and know who you can ask for support, asking for help becomes easy. But even if those things are not in place, you should still reach out to others when you find yourself stressed, lost, or in danger of relapsing.
Discover Relapse Prevention Therapy at Serenity Grove
Another way to help yourself prevent relapse is to seek help from a relapse prevention counseling center. Serenity Grove is an expert provider of relapse prevention services. We have therapists who specialize in helping people avoid relapse.
You should not feel shame if you need this kind of counseling after treatment. Recovery is a lifelong pursuit. Do not hesitate to connect with caring, compassionate experts in addition to implementing the four tips outlined in the previous section.
Learn how to prevent relapse by calling Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 or filling out our online contact form.
