It can be challenging to maintain a long-term recovery from drugs and alcohol. There are several obstacles in both early and late recovery. If an individual finds it difficult to cope with daily life challenges, it can be tough to stay on track to the healing process. When an individual trails off, many different aspects of their life may be affected. It is common for some individuals to relapse within one year after completing their addiction treatment program. Therefore, relapse prevention is essential for one to achieve long-term addiction and mental health recovery. Participating in a relapse prevention program at South Shore Recovery can significantly extend an individual’s recovery and improve their overall quality of life.
Once treatment has been completed, this does not necessarily mean one has been cured of addiction or co-occurring mental health complications. Recovery, in general, can be a vulnerable next step after completing treatment. Every stage of recovery can come with many different obstacles. For example, not everyone feels confident in themselves to move forward in early recovery. Although substance cravings, trauma triggers, and anxiety symptoms may not be as intense, they can still be problematic. This can especially be true for those recovering from a severe dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis can be defined as having two or more conditions and typically requires support.
Early recovery involves making several life changes to promote a healthier lifestyle. This can be a busy, hectic, and stressful phase in one’s healing process. Recovery goals may consist of building a strong support system, finding a new employer that provides a sober environment, discontinuing addictive habits, engaging in sober activities, and sometimes even moving to a new location with limited substance exposure to aid in relapse prevention. Certain sacrifices that are made can lead to intense loneliness and isolation.
Late addiction recovery can also be challenging. When an individual meets their early recovery goals, life gradually begins to slow down. As this occurs, if one has not established a strong support system, they may start to fall into their old ways. Triggers and unwanted substance exposure may become more difficult to cope with. An individual may begin to experience more intense substance cravings and be at an increased risk of enduring a relapse.
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), as an individual goes a while neglecting positive changes, they begin to revert to their past addictive behaviors. There is a difference between lapse and relapse. When an individual goes a prolonged period living a sober lifestyle but engages in substance use, this is called a lapse. A relapse is where one continues to use harmful substances after the initial lapse occurs.
However, the relapse period starts long before the individual chooses to use the substance physically. Each individual may experience different indicators that signal their derailed recovery progress. Therefore, it is essential for one to learn to recognize the warning signs that have led to their relapse.
Knowing that each individual has their own set of unique indicators, breaking down the three stages of relapse can help one better understand the lead-up to a relapse. Research indicates that medical professionals have long understood that relapse is a proceeding process rather than a sudden event. A number of relapse prevention programs describe the few stages of relapse as emotional, mental, and physical.
During emotional relapse, the individual remembers the last time they used but does not have any desire to engage in substance use again. Even though this may be true, if they do not seek professional support, their emotions, and certain behaviors may enable a future relapse. Because an individual may not be thinking about using drugs or alcohol, denial is a significant component of emotional relapse. Behavioral signs of emotional relapse include:
When a mental relapse occurs, the individual begins to think more about using harmful substances and battles a persistent war in their mind. An individual may painfully feel indecisive about using harmful substances. The individual may weigh out the pros and cons of using again. During a mental relapse, the individual may continue to obsess over the substance and begin to opt out of the consequences in their mind. As one dives deeper into this stage, their resistance to relapse begins to diminish. Therefore, their need for substance use increases. Signs of mental relapse include:
When a physical relapse occurs, the individual puts all known risks aside and surrenders to substance use. They later face trouble discontinuing the cycle of addiction. The individual may experience uncontrolled thoughts about using harmful substances again, leading to prolonged substance use if they do not seek support. Once an individual tries to stop using again, they may experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can make them feel trapped in their cycle of addiction. The effect of withdrawal relies on the substance chosen and the rate of use. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
The lead-up to a substance relapse may feel different for everyone, but the after-effects of a relapse are quite common. However, during substance use, the moment of euphoria or pleasure may seem exhilarating. Depending on the severity of an individual’s substance use disorder (SUD) or the chosen substance, the individual may experience an urge for more of the substance to achieve their desired outcome.
For example, if an individual has severe SUD, their tolerance for drugs or alcohol may be incredibly high. Think of a relapse like this: if one goes so long without ice cream but remembers the pleasurable taste, the moment one tastes the ice cream, they may immediately have the urge to devour it. Depending on the flavor, ice cream tastes delicious until one starts to experience the uncomfortable side effects of overeating. The moment an individual experiences great discomfort, they may instantaneously feel a deep sense of guilt and shame.
An overdose can make an individual with SUD feel immensely defeated. One may not only feel as if they let themselves down but their surroundings too. When this occurs, it is common for one to avoid seeking care because they may fear further damaging their reputation and relationships with loved ones or facing hurtful stigma. SUD is a chronic brain disease that impairs an individual’s reward system. Therefore, it is common for one to further engage in addictive behaviors such as lying, stealing, or manipulating others to keep their problem a secret but still achieve their desired dopamine effect.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), relapse is an expected part of the addiction recovery process. Addiction relapse rates are close to various chronic medical conditions. If one has discontinued following their treatment plan, they are highly likely to go through the nature of a relapse again. The treatment process involves changing complex addictive behaviors. Thus, a relapse does not mean an individual has failed; it just means their treatment plan needs to be adjusted. Certain obstacles in life can interfere with an individual’s recovery progress. Not everyone automatically responds effectively to their treatment plan. Mistakes are a fact of life, and growth comes with every relapse.
Although there is no cure for SUD, addiction is a treatable condition. Steady research on SUD and addiction treatment has resulted in the development of advanced research-based techniques. Specific methods have been developed to assist individuals in discontinuing substance use. Although a relapse is a normal part of recovery, a substance relapse can lead to toxicity, disability, suicidal ideation, coma, or death. A relapse can be a tragic experience not only for the individual but for their loved ones as well. Addiction places a burden on society as a whole. This includes nurses, physicians, emergency respondents, etc. Experiencing life-threatening symptoms or witnessing a death can be traumatic.
As an individual continues to engage in substance use, they may feel trapped in the cycle of addiction. If the intense feelings of guilt and shame are left unaddressed, one may be at an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety related to their condition. It is common for those with addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions to feel as if they do not deserve another chance to heal or are not worthy of recovering.
Fortunately, a substance relapse program can help those with addiction or a dual diagnosis not only prevent a substance relapse but effectively recover to achieve long-term healing. Research highlights that relapse prevention therapy is a psychosocial intervention that follows the cognitive-behavioral approach. A typical relapse prevention program is made up of unique therapy techniques. Cognitive therapy helps one learn to face the fears associated with their condition, redefine fun, learn from their setbacks, and better cope with their symptoms. The program teaches individuals helpful strategies to reduce the likelihood of enduring a severe relapse. Relapse prevention therapy strategies also help foster healthy behavioral patterns for a better lifestyle.
It is common for some individuals to feel hesitant to move forward with a relapse prevention program. One may simply not understand that relapse is a common occurrence in recovery. They may confidently feel they do not need to participate in the program or simply fear feeling worse if they relapse, even with relapse prevention therapy. South Shore Recovery Center understands that recovery does not happen overnight. Our expert team of professionals has a passion for helping those in recovery, as many of our specialists are also in the healing process.
Our recovery center’s relapse prevention strategies were designed with care to provide practical solutions and emotional support to help foster a sober lifestyle. Our patients may benefit greatly from developing an individualized prevention toolkit. This may be done to introduce unique methods of care for reduced stress. Patients at South Shore Recovery Center may be asked a series of questions relating to their medical and trauma history, strengths, weaknesses, and interests. This may be done better by tailoring our program to the patient’s specific needs. The tools work to effectively assist patients in establishing a healthy recovery and increase treatment satisfaction as well. The process includes:
Knowing it can be difficult for even the most motivated individuals to remain sober in both the early and late stages of recovery due to various life challenges, staying committed to a relapse prevention program can seem impossible. It can be challenging to balance work, relationships, academics, and treatment all at once. When an individual begins to miss therapy, they only put themselves at risk for relapse and further impairing just about every aspect of their life. Tips to stay committed to a relapse prevention program include:
Knowing it can be difficult for even the most motivated individuals to remain sober in both the early and late stages of recovery due to various life challenges, staying committed to a relapse prevention program can seem impossible. It can be challenging to balance work, relationships, academics, and treatment all at once. When an individual begins to miss therapy, they only put themselves at risk for relapse and further impairing just about every aspect of their life. Tips to stay committed to a relapse prevention program include:
According to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (YJBM), the stages of recovery can look different for everyone. To recover from a relapse, one is required to remain abstinent from substance use. They may experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms and again follow through with the repair stage. Although the repair stage can seem like a big disappointment, following certain strategies with South Shore Recovery Center can help one effectively move forward and learn from mistakes for relapse prevention. Effective self-help strategies to assist an individual with SUD in overcoming a substance relapse include:
At South Shore Recovery Center, we integrate evidence-based relapse prevention strategies into our substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs to help patients build a resilient foundation for lasting recovery. Our approach combines practical techniques along with emotional support to ensure our patients have the tools and confidence to maintain sobriety and navigate life’s challenges effectively. Remember, relapse is sometimes part of the recovery journey, and it’s how you learn from it and move forward that matters. If you or a loved one has recently been struggling with substance use or relapse, we can help. To find out more about our treatment options, please contact our compassionate team by calling (774) 515-2878.
DISCLAIMER: South Shore Recovery Center is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to provide Outpatient Counseling and Day Treatment Services.
