Have you been in recovery for a while? Despite the accomplishment of long-term sobriety, do you feel your relapse prevention skills are beginning to slip? If so, you are not alone.
After being out of treatment and in recovery for an extended period, it can be easy to get caught up in the many challenges of life. When this happens, some may begin slacking on their aftercare plan. This may cause relapse prevention skills to become a bit rusty. Though it may not be an immediate cause for concern for everyone, this can increase your risk of relapse.
NorthStar Transitions can help you recover from a slip in relapse prevention skills during treatment or through our alumni program. Through these programs, you will learn what to do when your relapse prevention skills aren't up to par. That may include reaching out to a facility, finding a sober buddy, or considering re-entering treatment if necessary. Whatever the method, we can help you sharpen your relapse prevention skills and continue your sobriety today.
As a chronic and complex mental health condition, substance use disorder (SUD) poses many challenges. One of those challenges is an increased risk of relapse. Not everyone experiences relapse, but for some, it can be frequent.
Relapse can be instigated in many ways. These include the experience of an intense trigger or craving, the loss of a loved one, or another highly emotional and distressing situation. There tends to be a greater risk of relapse in early recovery. However, individuals in long-term recovery can experience an increased risk if they do not utilize their relapse prevention plan properly.
A release may seem to occur suddenly. However, it is often actually a gradual process that you can learn to notice before you have used substances again.
There are three stages of relapse, and while each relapse is unique, people typically experience these stages at some point. The stages of relapse are:
Relapse prevention skills are necessary for reducing the risk of relapse. Fortunately, your risk can reduce significantly if you have an aftercare plan, a support system, and several coping mechanisms.
These are meant to help you cope with triggers and cravings and manage your symptoms long-term. But what happens when life gets in the way?
We all deal with stress in our lives. For some of us, the primary source of stress may be work. Others may experience stress from being single parents or taking care of elderly parents. Whatever challenges you may face, you must be able to manage them without neglecting your recovery.
Managing these life challenges takes time and energy. The more time and energy you utilize to deal with these challenges, the less you have to direct toward your sobriety. We all hit a breaking point at different times, but the goal should be to avoid rock bottom in recovery. That is why finding motivation in long-term recovery is the first crucial step in reprioritizing your sobriety and aftercare plan.
In theory, the more time we have spent in recovery, the more accomplished we should feel. However, many of us can lose hope the longer we spend trying to handle life and sobriety simultaneously.
Some things you can do to stay motivated in long-term recovery are:
In some scenarios, people do re-enter treatment if they have trouble dealing with relapse or following their aftercare steps. Going back to rehab is not something to be ashamed of. The important thing is to do whatever is necessary to get back to your life of sobriety and improve your relapse prevention skills.
However, re-entering treatment may not be necessary. Other things you can do when you slip on your relapse prevention skills are:
These are just a few ways to improve your relapse prevention skills. Some may work for you better than others, but what is crucial is that you put in the effort. You will soon learn what works for you and what does not.
For additional help improving your relapse prevention plan or to inquire about our alumni program, reach out to NorthStar Transitions today!
The more time we have spent in recovery, the more accomplished we should feel about our journey. However, that may not always be the case. Long-term recovery is an awesome achievement, but with the daily challenges life brings us, it can be easy to put aftercare and relapse prevention skills on the back burner. Whether we are dealing with the stress of work, school, or parenthood, finding time for ourselves is sometimes easier said than done. This can lead to many problems, including an increased risk of relapse. You can refocus your relapse prevention plan by talking to peers, contacting a facility, or considering continuing care options. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 for more information today.
