Getting sober is one thing, staying sober is another. One of the most important factors for staying sober is having a relapse prevention plan. Find out how to create a strong plan catered to the individual's unique needs.
The term "relapse" is described as the return to drug use or alcohol after someone decides to quit using, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
There are many reasons that can lead to relapse. All of which are unique to the individual. However, there are certain risk factors that have been found in the majority of relapse cases.
Relapse has warning signs that are important to know when creating a relapse prevention plan. These stages can be broken down into three categories.
In this stage, the alcoholic or addict might not be thinking about drinking or using, but their emotions are causing their behaviors to change and their thoughts to become "old thinking." Often, they will experience self-denial in this stage. This is the perfect scenario that sets up the individual for future relapse.
The mental phase of relapse is when the recovering addict or alcoholic is at war with themselves in their own mind. At this point, the individual wants to use or drink again in order to relieve their symptoms, but at the same time they do not want to follow through with that action for risk of failure.
Treatment is vital during this phase. The individual needs to know what their high-risk situations are and how to avoid them. Often times, individuals in treatment have not fully recognized what all of their high-risk situations are, or they do not believe certain situations to be high-risk when indeed they are.
This is the final phase of relapse as it is the phase which involves the individual physically drinking or using drugs again.
Being braced with the knowledge of what relapse is and what the risk factors and warning signs are, the individual can build a strong relapse prevention plan that is catered to their needs.
These plans are often built with the help of inpatient or outpatient treatment centers. Finding a professional treatment counselor to help with these plans is a powerful recovery tool to have, and is highly suggested for all recovering addicts and alcoholics.
If you or someone you love needs help with getting sober and staying sober, please call The Haven for answers.
