Some people consider relapse part of the recovery journey, but is that always true? Relapse is common, which is why relapse prevention is so crucial. However, not everyone will necessarily encounter relapses in their journey. That is because each person's recovery journey is unique.
Conversely, individuals who go through frequent relapses should not feel shame. If relapses are occurring or recurring, these individuals may need to tweak their relapse prevention plan, consider attending more support group meetings, or find a new therapist.
Anyone can return from a relapse, but if they are recurrent, there may be an underlying concern. Understanding that deeper issue and why one is relapsing can benefit one's recovery progress and teach one new way to prevent relapse.
There is no one reason why individuals in recovery experience relapse. It may result from an intense trigger or craving that sneaks up on someone or from a highly stressful or distressing situation. Risks of relapse are particularly present in early recovery.
Individuals experience all sorts of challenges post-treatment. Reintegrating back into everyday life is no easy feat. Knowing one's triggers, developing healthy routines, and talking things out with a therapist or support system members are excellent ways to reduce the risk of relapse in early recovery. However, recovery is an ongoing process, and there is, unfortunately, always the potential for relapse.
Relapse is a unique experience for everyone, as individual triggers and cravings differ. It may be easier to deal with relapse by understanding it better.
The most critical notion to remember is that relapse does not equal failure. Instead of focusing on the occurrence, individuals should concentrate on moving forward, understanding why the relapse occurred, and taking measures to prevent it in the future. Relapses do not define people—it's how they deal with them that matters.
People must not only understand why relapses occur but must also know and be able to identify the different stages of relapse.
This stage is when people are not contemplating using, but their emotional state and behaviors may not be in check, setting them up for future relapse. Signs of emotional relapse include repressing emotions, isolation, refusal to attend meetings, not participating in meetings, and poor self-care.
The mental stage of relapse describes the inner turmoil in the mind when part of a person wants to use substances. As someone goes deeper into mental relapse without addressing it, they are less and less able to resist temptations. Signs include craving substances, thinking of things associated with past substance use, minimizing consequences, and looking for opportunities to relapse.
The final stage of relapse is physical—when a person begins using again. Initial substance use is a lapse, and further substance use becomes relapse. This stage can sneak up on a person without warning, but hope is never lost.
As mentioned, individuals must focus more on how they handle relapses than the relapse itself. The first thing to do is seek help. Individuals who have relapsed should contact sober friends, a therapist, a family member, or someone from an aftercare program to help them through this difficult time. Extra support is vital as they begin the path back to sobriety.
For some, further treatment may be required. Not everyone experiences frequent relapses, but those who do may have underlying trauma or mental health concerns they need to address. These individuals might discuss these concerns with their therapist or, if needed, get back into a treatment program. Reentering treatment is not a sign of failure—everyone needs further or additional support from time to time.
Going to support group meetings is also vital post-relapse. Lack of support and isolation is sometimes the cause of relapses. Individuals who have experienced a relapse should get to a meeting and be open and honest. This is not a space of judgment but of mutual support, understanding, and assistance.
Another way to handle a relapse is to rethink one's relapse prevention plan. This may come later after seeking further help, support, or treatment. When making adjustments, individuals can ask themselves if any new triggers, cravings, or emotional disturbances brought on the relapse. Taking the time to self-examine can help them develop ways to prevent frequent relapses in the future.
Not everyone experiences frequent relapses, but those who do should not suffer in silence. Instead, they should seek further help and consider alternative ways to prevent relapse.
Many say relapse is a part of the journey, but each journey is unique. There is no sure way to know who will or will not experience relapse. Consequently, it is best practice to expect the unexpected and prepare for the potential risks of relapse.
Reach out to NorthStar Transitions today to learn more or seek help after experiencing a relapse.
There is no exact science to predict who will experience relapses in recovery or how frequently they will occur. Some consider relapse a natural part of the recovery journey, but this is not the whole picture because each journey is innately unique. Since there is no sure way to determine the chance of experiencing a relapse, we must all be prepared. How we handle a relapse is vital to our path back to sobriety. Getting back to recovery is always possible with the right tools. NorthStar Transitions can provide those tools. Whether you're new to recovery or have experienced an initial or frequent relapse, we can help. Call (303) 558-6400 today.
