When you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance use problem, avoiding relapse is one of the most critical parts of the recovery process. To learn more about how you can develop the coping skills necessary for recovery in WA state, reach out to Spokane Falls Recovery Center online today, or call us at 844.962.2775.
Why Is Avoiding Relapse Important?
The term “relapse” refers to when someone who is in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction uses again. This can be viewed as a setback on the road to long-term recovery, or it can be a fruitful part of the recovery process. At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we encourage our patients to consider relapse as a chance for growth. The next step is to continue your recovery and to start the process again, putting what you have learned into action.
Relapse can, however, be dangerous. If you have stopped using alcohol or drugs for a significant period, your level of tolerance will not be the same, and your body can react badly, especially if you take the same amount your body was accustomed to before rehab. This increases the risk of overdose dramatically, and can cause severe long-term health issues. It can even end in death. These are both cautionary reasons to understand the importance of avoiding relapse.
Ways of Avoiding Relapse
Not every technique for avoiding relapse will work for every individual battling addiction. If you are working on a substance use problem, the following may be of some use to you:
Develop and Maintain a Support System
At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, you will likely participate in group therapy. One of the advantages of this treatment approach is that it allows you to meet individuals with similar experiences and recovery goals to your own. Your peers in recovery can be excellent resources, especially when triggers and temptations arise that could cause a relapse. You should also discuss your recovery with your close friends and family so that they can support you and hold you accountable.
Educate Yourself About Addiction
The more you know about the adverse affects that addiction has on you, your health, finances, and relationships, the more impetus you will have to avoid relapse. The more you learn about stressors and triggers, the more likely you are to be able to prevent or cope with them. At Spokane Falls Recovery Center you will learn about the science of addiction and what it does to your brain chemistry. If you are not sure where to start, reach out to an addiction treatment center like Spokane Falls Recovery Center for help. There are hundreds of interesting, engaging books, blogs, web sites, and podcasts on the topic.
Learn to Identify Triggers and Avoid Them
Triggers are the people, places, and things that cause a person’s resolve to weaken and can easily lead to relapse. They are different for every individual. It might be difficult for you to interact with your old drinking buddies, or to visit a neighborhood where you used to acquire drugs. Unstructured time, or being alone, causes cravings and can make you want to use again. Whatever your situation, understanding your triggers and putting some forethought into how you can manage or avoid them can be the first line of defense against relapse.
Develop New Hobbies and Meet New People
If your previous social circle and habits were destructive, the answer is simple: you must surround yourself with new people and find new hobbies. Now might be an excellent time to reconnect with the people and activities you enjoyed before addiction took control of your life. Involving yourself in social groups like a book club or running club can be a great way to develop your interests and meet new people along the way. Volunteering is also a great way to meet caring, empathetic people.
Reach Out to Spokane Falls Recovery Center to Learn More About Avoiding Relapse
At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we specialize in giving our patients the tools they need to achieve long-term recovery, including avoiding relapse. If you or someone close to you would benefit from addiction recovery in WA state, reach out to us online today, or call 844.962.2775.
