Relapse Prevention
After recovery from drug or alcohol
abuse, the possibility of a relapse into bad behavior
is an unpleasant, but present, reality. Relapse prevention,
then, becomes essential for any recovering addict who
wants to remain clean and sober.
"Relapse" is defined as
returning to a specific behavior after a period of abstaining
from that particular behavior; in recovery terms, it
involves engaging in the behaviors that are part of
alcoholism or drug abuse. Relapse prevention is the
process by which recovering addicts learn to recognize
and avoid these behaviors.
Relapse prevention tools will vary
from person to person, just as the reasons for engaging
in substance abuse are different for each addict. Perhaps
arguing with a spouse, failing to study for an exam
or procrastinating simple tasks triggered drug or alcohol-seeking
behavior. Relapse prevention will help you stop yourself
from engaging in these behaviors. Relapse prevention
should also help you learn how to avoid them.
If relapse prevention is to be effective,
recovering addicts must learn to recognize dangerous
patterns that may cause old behaviors to resurface.
Avoiding recreation and entertainment, overanalyzing
situations, assigning blame, getting inadequate sleep
or making major life changes in the first year of sobriety
are all signs that you may be exposing yourself to dangerous
situations.
Relapse prevention can help you make
better choices, decisions that take you further from
toxic behavior. The best way to engage in relapse prevention
is to participate in community-support programs, such
as 12-step groups or other outpatient counseling services
with a group component.
If these forms of relapse prevention
fail to deter you from dangerous behavior, you might
consider moving to a sober-living facility, a necessary
step in preventing the return to substance abuse. Treatment
Referral provides referrals to rehabs that effectively
treat alcohol, drug and substance abuse.
If you suspect that you or a loved
one is in danger of relapsing into substance abuse,
please contact Treatment Referral today to find out
more about your drug abuse treatment options. 800.399.3612
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