How to Reenter Recovery After a Relapse

A big part of being in recovery is accepting the reality that there is a risk of relapse. On the other hand, another vital part of recovery is knowing that relapse does not mean failure. Relapsing does not indicate that a person's treatment was unsuccessful or that there is no hope of a life free from addiction. Recovery is a lifelong process. Instead of focusing on the relapse, individuals must concentrate on picking themselves up and putting in the work to get back on track. 

In addition to getting back on track in recovery, individuals must cope with their difficult feelings after relapse. While this is easier said than done, the hope is that treatment has taught each individual tools to manage feelings of shame healthily. The guilt of relapsing should not keep someone from getting help to reenter recovery, up to and including reentering treatment. Anyone who has recently experienced a relapse and is considering treatment can reach out to NorthStar Transitions today. 

Common Relapse Triggers

The risk of relapse is present in any stage of recovery. AddictionCenter lists some of the most common relapse triggers: 

• Boredom 
• Stress
• Financial concerns 
• Relationship issues 
• Sensory reminders of active addiction
• Environmental reminders of active addiction
• Falling into old habits 
• Anger or other negative emotions

A relapse experience may or may not correlate to these triggers. However, triggers of any kind can cause a relapse. Rather than viewing relapse as the end of recovery, it can be a learning opportunity. A good first step after relapse is self-reflection—see where things took a turn and begin thinking of relapse prevention for future recovery.

The Benefit of Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention is not only beneficial in terms of preventing relapse. On the contrary, relapse prevention strategies can help guide people back to recovery post-relapse. AddictionCenter discusses the top ten relapse prevention skills, including:

1. Practicing self-care like exercise, nutrition, and getting quality sleep 
2. Evaluating HALT–hungry, angry, lonely, and tired—metrics, as these are common relapse triggers
3. Mindfulness meditation
4. Identifying and learning to recognize triggers 
5. Joining a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
6. Learning grounding techniques that help manage anxiety, like the 5-4-3-2-1 coping technique 
7. Deep breathing exercises or relaxation techniques 
8. Crating emergency contact list of family members, friends, or support group peers to call for support
9. Playing the tape through—in other words, imagine the repercussions of deciding to drink or use 
10. Getting professional help when things get to be too much to handle

Steps to Take After Relapse 

Some people may have a contingency plan to follow if they experience relapse. Unfortunately, many do not. For anyone who recently relapsed and is struggling to get back on track, the American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers these steps to take post-relapse.

• Reach out for help. Reaching out to friends, family, and support systems can help individuals cope with a relapse. Knowing one is not alone during the lowest moments is vital. 
• Attend a support group meeting. There are many support networks available, such as a person's treatment facility's aftercare program. Someone in this community may have insight or advice about reentering recovery, which is immensely helpful following relapse. 
• Avoid triggers. Exposure to triggers after a relapse can increase cravings. Consequently, individuals must minimize exposure to these triggers as much as possible. 
• Create healthy boundaries. For example, avoid contact with harmful, toxic, or abusive people or situations in the wake of relapse. 
• Practice self-care emotionally and physically. Whatever self-care looks like for an individual, they should get on that self-care train. Neglecting self-care following a relapse will only worsen the situation.
• Take time for self-reflection. Relapse can be a learning experience. What took place before relapse? Were there new triggers? What other coping techniques did one attempt beforehand? What coping alternatives are there to drugs and alcohol? As individuals find the answers to these questions, they can prepare themselves for the next time they find themselves on the verge of relapse.
• Develop additional relapse prevention strategies. A person may alter or add to their previous plan to make improvements or start from scratch. Either is okay, as long as it is done in the pursuit of sobriety and relapse prevention.

Remember You Are Not Alone

One of the most important things an individual can do post-relapse is to remember they are not alone. By reaching out to a support network, creating or modifying a relapse prevention plan, and following these steps offered by the AAC, anyone can get themselves back to living a life of recovery. Feelings of guilt or shame do not have to keep recovering individuals down. Everyone can reenter recovery after a relapse. 

Recovery is a lifelong process, and relapse is sometimes part of it. If you experience relapse, you may feel guilt or failure, but you can not focus on those feelings. To pick yourself up and get back on track, you must focus on where you're headed and how to get there, not wallow in what has happened. You can successfully reenter recovery after a relapse by following these steps, reaching out to your support network, and creating a relapse prevention plan. Many people decide to reenter a treatment program after a relapse. It is the ultimate act of humility and self-care to admit a need for further assistance. Do whatever you can to get yourself back to a life of recovery. To learn more about reentering recovery after a relapse or to get connected with a new treatment program, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.

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