Relapse after treatment: what to do

Addiction is a disorder that is difficult to treat as at every stage the person participating in treatment has to fight their own selves. This makes relapse after rehabilitation a very real possibility. Those in active recovery are in a state of remission as in diabetes or cancer. Many people believe their journey is complete after treatment. However, successful management of their newfound recovery is a lifelong journey. Any lack of daily maintenance slowly but surely allows the disease to reappear.

 Addiction changes the brain by imprinting chemicals on it that it will continue to crave; which is why between 40% and 60% of addicts will inevitably relapse within 30 to 90 days of exiting treatment. Not every person who has completed treatment fits into these figures. Even though there is a possibility of relapse and slipping into old habits, this doesn’t mean that everyone in recovery does. Those who maintain their recovery program to guard against a relapse and apply the proper tools do maintain sobriety.

An article in Psychology Today cites studies that show most relapses happen within the first 90 days of abstinence, which is why attending a rehab program lasting at least 3 months, in Zorbacare the best rehab in India may be most beneficial.

The Stages of Relapse

In order to understand how to prevent relapse, it is essential to first understand the relapse process itself. Relapse isn\’t a sudden event; it is a process that occurs over a period of time which can range from weeks to even months. . It is important to understand that relapse is not a failure, but rather a part of the recovery process that can provide valuable lessons and insights for future growth.

The stages of relapse are three fold.

• Emotional relapse: People are not thinking about using a substance, but their coping mechanisms could be showing cracks which places them at a high risk of a return to negative emotional states and behaviors that can precede a return to substance use. This may include an increase in stress, isolation, and difficulty managing emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, frustration; showing poor self-care, and low social support.

• Mental relapse: During this stage, people are thinking about using the substance and perhaps even missing the people and places they associated with their substance use or rationalizing the potential benefits of using. This is characterized by “Euphoric Recall” where one only remembers the good times of using and not the consequences they had to face.
• Physical relapse: This stage involves actually using the substance once again. The dam of abstinence breaks and the person picks up their choice of substance again. They may initially be able to stop before the using becomes a cycle, but this creates “The Illusion of Control”, which leads to multiple slips and then to a full fledged return to active addiction.

How to Respond to a Relapse Positively:

Relapse should not be considered a failure. While it is an indication of lessening of efforts to stay in recovery, it should be remembered that it can strengthen the resolve to stay clean and sober and reinforce the decision to cope with life without recourse to the substance of choice.

Many people attempting to quit an addiction will feel they have failed if they relapse and abandon their efforts, feeling that quitting is too difficult for them. Accepting that relapse is a normal part of the process of recovery is a more helpful way of looking at relapse. Individuals and treatment programs like Zorbacare rehab in Mumbai, that take this view are more successful, and in the long run, those who accept and work to try again after a relapse are more likely to eventually overcome their addiction. This is not to say that a relapse should not be taken seriously. Good treatment programs plan ahead for the possibility by including relapse prevention as part of the process.

Relapse prevention therapy (RPT)

There are three primary areas of focus in RPT

• Behavioral techniques/lifestyle changes: to help people establish habits that enhance recovery and prevent relapse, including regular sleep, exercise, and relaxation strategies.

• Coping skills training: to help people cope with cravings and urges as well as potential high-risk situations and emotions.
• Cognitive therapy interventions: to help people reframe how they think about relapse, so they can view it as an opportunity to learn rather than a deep personal flaw.

First Steps to Take After A Relapse

No matter how long your rehab program, or at what point your relapse occurred, there are many steps you can take to get back on track.

• Stay positive. Reread or revise your recovery plan. Surround yourself with people you trust, who maintain an optimistic outlook, and who believe in and support you.
• Continue or resume individual or group therapy. Substance use disorder usually involves deeply rooted behaviors and emotions that are often complex. Relapse may be an indication that you should resume or change your treatment approach. The stronger coping skills you have, the more likely you will successfully avoid relapse. If you do experience a relapse, learning to better avoid, manage, or otherwise deal with triggers can help prevent another.
• Increase your attendance at a 12-step or other support group. Consider attending daily, or even several times a day. Many members of support groups have relapsed and successfully gotten back on track. Studies show a strong correlation between the level and length of involvement in a 12-step program like AA or NA and long-term sobriety. For example, those who attended 60-200 meetings a year for a period of 5 years had an abstinence rate of 73-79%. They can be invaluable support and inspiration to you and your recovery.
• Manage triggers – A trigger can be anything that reminds you of previous addictive behavior and may evoke a powerful urge to re-experience that behavior. It can be a person, place, location, stressful situation, event, or another factor that elicits positive feelings about drug, alcohol, or other addictive behavior. Having a conversation with a therapist or someone in your support network about romanticizing use is important.
• Support network – Surround yourself with sober, supportive family and friends who are firmly invested in your abstinent lifestyle. It is best to no longer associate with anyone still actively using drugs or alcohol. People can be especially strong triggers to addictive behavior.Do not attend an activity where you know others will be using alcohol or drugs. If there is no way to avoid attending such an activity, have a sober friend attend with you for support. Always have access to transportation so you can leave the activity if you need to and if you begin to feel pressured or uncomfortable, never hesitate to leave.
• Strengthen relationships – Addiction often takes a big toll on your closest relationships. Attending family counseling can teach valuable communication skills, how to identify unhealthy family dynamics, and how to heal relationships within the family structure. Although there may be feelings of shame after a relapse, and loved ones may be fearful or frustrated, it is important that all parties remain as calm as possible. Loved ones who continue to express their support can be crucial in helping the person seeking recovery get back on the proper path.
• Stress Management – Learning how to manage and reduce stress will make you healthier and happier and lessen the likelihood of relapse. Techniques or lifestyle changes may include regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, positive thinking, yoga, meditation, writing daily thoughts in a journal, renewing involvement in a previously loved hobby or activity, exercising your creativity in music, art, writing or other area and embracing spirituality in whatever form is most meaningful to you.
• Service Work – Numerous studies have shown that helping others can be of great benefit to people in recovery, improving mood, decreasing anxiety and depression, increasing self-esteem and strengthening a sense of purpose. These have all been shown to be powerful factors in successful recovery.

The longer one is able to maintain their sobriety, the better chance they have at long-term recovery.  As noted, up to 85% of individuals relapse within their first year of sobriety.  The good news is that the longer one is able to maintain their recovery, the better chance they have at sustaining long-term sobriety.  Once an individual is able to maintain sobriety for their first year, their chances of maintaining their sobriety exponentially grows.  Do not think that just because you attended a 28 day inpatient treatment program you are cured.   It is highly recommended to seek out outpatient drug and alcohol treatment in Zorbacare rehab in Mumbai and pune and have additional support such as a sober coach and/or sober companion.  Engage in holistic recovery related behaviors and surround yourself with likeminded individuals who care about your wellbeing.