If you or a loved one is in recovery from addiction, an important part of the recovery process is learning how to avoid relapse. Discover healthy coping skills and strategies and reach out to Soledad House for life skills training for addiction treatment today.
Why Is Avoiding Relapse Important?
Relapse occurs when someone who is in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction uses again. While this can be a setback on the road to lasting sobriety, it does not mean that this individual is a failure. It’s possible to continue recovery after a relapse and start to heal again.
However, it’s also crucial to try to avoid relapse. This is because relapse can be dangerous. If someone has stopped using drugs for a long period of time, their body will not have the same level of tolerance it did previously. If they try to use the same amount of drugs they did before getting sober, they are at risk of overdosing. For this reason, those in recovery should learn techniques for avoiding relapse.
Five Ways to Avoid Relapse
Every individual in recovery is different. For this reason, the same techniques for avoiding relapse will not work for everyone. However, the following tips could help you or a loved one remain in recovery and continue working towards lasting sobriety.
Tip #1: Develop a Support System
In a women’s addiction treatment center, you’ll likely take part in group therapy, where you’ll meet other recovery-focused individuals. These people can be an invaluable resource in recovery, as they can support you on your journey. Additionally, talk to your friends and family about how they can help you avoid relapse and stay on your recovery plan. They will most likely be receptive to the ideas and can help you during difficult times.
Tip #2: Educate Yourself
The more you know about addiction and its harmful effects, the more reasons you have to stay away from it. Educate yourself about relapse triggers and prevention techniques, the science of addiction, and the benefits of staying sober. If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to an addiction treatment center. They can recommend books, websites, and podcasts to help you learn more.
Tip #3: Identify High-Risk Situations
Triggers for relapse can look different for everyone. You might have a hard time going to a place where you used to work, or visiting a certain family member or friend. Maybe stress or isolation causes you to feel cravings for drugs or alcohol. No matter what situations are difficult for you, knowing these potential triggers can help you avoid these specific circumstances and develop a plan for how to deal with cravings.
Tip #4: Develop New Hobbies
If your previous habits were destructive, it’s time to find new hobbies and pastimes. Maybe there were even things you loved to do at one point, but addiction took them away. For many people who struggled with addiction in the past, finding and consuming drugs or alcohol became the only thing they cared about. Return to things you once loved or find a new hobby to fill up your time and help you remember that there are fun, exciting things to do while sober. Consider playing a sport, taking up an instrument, spending time volunteering and giving back, or gardening to connect with the earth.
Tip #5: Focus on Wellness
There’s a reason why many women’s rehab programs provide both evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to treatment. Addiction can cause damage to the whole person, and it’s important to help every individual heal in body, mind, and spirit. Mental health issues and challenges with your physical health can cause you to relapse, so focusing on your overall well-being is an important part of recovery.
Recovery in CA at Soledad House
At Soledad House, we provide addiction treatment programs for women who are ready to begin recovery in CA. Through a variety of addiction treatment therapies and methods, our clients learn how to avoid relapse through healthy coping skills and strategies. The network of support you’ll find at Soledad House can help you through the difficult moments of recovery.
Reach out to our team at 866.314.3222 to learn more.
