Relapse Prevention in Treatment

Many people who go through a treatment program expect to come out the other side feeling completely fine. They may also feel they are guaranteed never to touch illicit substances again. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. A person who returns to using these substances is said to have relapsed.  Studies have shown that 40-60% of those in recovery relapse at least once, regardless of treatment.

How Does Relapse Treatment Work?

The goal of any rehabilitation program is not only to help a person heal from their addictions. There must also be an educational component to teach them about the concept of relapsing and what it can mean for them in the future. Often, people entering a treatment program are reticent about being there in the first place.

It is the responsibility of the treatment facility to make these people understand their situation will be a lifelong struggle. They need to know that relapses can and likely will happen. However, an excellent treatment center will explain what they can do to avoid relapsing.

How to Spot Triggers

One of the main things to learn for avoiding relapse is how to spot triggers. When people leave treatment and are adjusting back into society, they may find that certain things make them crave a return to substances. These triggers could be:

• People
• Situations
• Locations
• Advertisements

These are just a few of the many triggers that can exist for people in recovery. It is often said that addiction is a chronic, life-long struggle. Recovery is never over. This does not mean that recovering individuals always give in to temptation, but they are constantly at risk.

Finding Help

The good thing about the possibility of relapsing is that many different resources are available to those who are tempted to return to their addictions.

Often, relapses can be averted by having a network of people the recovering individual trusts and knows will not judge them. These people can be family, friends, or even peers in recovery that the individual connected with while in rehab. All they need to know is that the person can be trusted and will help.

Another place to find help is through group meetings. There are nationally known programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). However, there are also local groups run by cities, towns, and even local recovery centers. These groups are free, meet at regular intervals, and exist mainly to help people help other people.

One thing to remember is that people do not need to limit themselves to just one group. In fact, some recovering individuals require multiple meetings a day to keep them sober. These people can find solace in the fact that no matter where they live, there will be a meeting and a program when it is needed. In fact, to find where meetings are being held, a person can always call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) hotline.

Twilight Recovery and Relapsing

While in treatment, work to recognize all their signs and triggers that can bring about relapses. They will also be advised about how to seek help from both medical professionals and local group meetings.

However, one of the biggest lessons to learn is that there is no shame in returning to rehab. This can be hard for some people to admit. In fact, shame over relapsing can lead people to avoid a return to rehab because they feel they have somehow failed those around them. When people do relapse or find themselves on the verge of relapsing, it may be best for them to re-enter rehab. Regardless of how much of a failure they may feel like, relapse is never the end of recovery. Getting further help is essential for their health and well-being.

We are Prepared

At Twilight Recovery Center, we are prepared to accept back anyone who relapses following our program. We know that this decision is not easy, but we want to make it as seamless as possible. At our facility, we are aware that relapse is not the fault of the individual. If they are seeking further treatment, they are on the right path.

With so many negative outcomes that can arise from a relapse, we want to be there as the best option. Clients who have been through our program understand our dedication to the individual. That dedication does not end when they leave. In fact, we encourage contact and want to know how you are doing and whether you need any assistance that we may be able to provide.

Twilight Recovery Center is a proponent of support in all forms. We want to be the ones who set you up for success but make sure you are aware that if you do relapse, you are not a failure.