Chronic relapse can be frustrating and challenging, but a specialized chronic relapse prevention program can help individuals achieve sobriety.
Relapse is often a part of recovery and doesn’t mean failure. The American Psychological Association considers relapsing a core element of substance use disorders. If you or a loved one is struggling, contact 833.922.2884 to learn about Sierra Sage’s chronic relapse prevention programs.
What Is Chronic Relapse?
Chronic relapse is when a person tries to quit a substance yet repeatedly returns to active use. These attempts at sobriety could include going to several different treatment centers or quitting independently.
Relapse is a natural part of the recovery process, and it doesn’t mean that treatment has failed. It also does not mean that recovery is required for long-term sobriety.
Challenges for Chronic Relapsers
People who have relapsed multiple times or attended several different treatment centers often lose hope. It can be demoralizing to “start over” in recovery, reset your sobriety date, and announce yourself as a newcomer in support groups. Many people start believing that recovery is not possible if this happens enough.
However, chronic relapse is by no means uncommon and shouldn’t be considered a deterrent to recovery. People who have attended treatment several times don’t simply forget everything they’ve learned. Often, people re-entering recovery are better positioned for success than people attempting sobriety for the first time.
What’s more, studies prove that helping others in recovery can strengthen your efforts. If chronic relapsers can share their experiences with others in recovery, they may increase their chances of maintaining sobriety.
Treatment for Chronic Relapse
People seeking treatment for chronic relapse often need specialized care. Chronic relapse is an indication that “treatment as usual” was ineffective for some reason.
In many instances, relapse indicates that underlying issues in a patient weren’t addressed or were too difficult to process at the time. Programs with the best chance of success for treating chronic relapse often emphasize long-term treatment options and specialized relapse prevention programs.
Long-Term Treatment Options
Evidence shows that people who attend long-term treatment have better chances of long-term recovery. At Sierra Sage, we pride ourselves on being able to help people throughout the entire recovery journey, including:
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient
- Aftercare programs
- Sober living
- Transitional living
This tiered approach to recovery allows our clients to receive long-term treatment from the same providers throughout the recovery process.
Relapse Prevention Programs
Relapse prevention programs are the gold standard of addiction treatment and can help people face difficult situations without relapsing. This treatment modality considers relapsing a gradual process that patients can prevent with the right strategies and tools.
According to this model, there are three stages of relapse: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse. If you can learn to address the earlier stages, you can stop the process before relapse occurs.
Additionally, relapse prevention emphasizes making substantial life changes to encourage recovery. Choosing a life free of drugs and alcohol and building recovery capital can ensure the relapse process never begins.
Honesty, self-care, and asking for help are essential and taught in relapse prevention programs. Living a life free of substance use becomes more manageable when patients practice these principles.
Chronic Relapse Prevention Programs at Sierra Sage
Relapse isn’t a failure of willpower or of treatment. Instead, it’s part of the need for aftercare as individuals learn to manage the chronic disease of addiction. Don’t let repeated relapse diminish your hope for recovery. Sierra Sage offers comprehensive addiction treatment for anyone struggling with substance use disorders and can help you overcome chronic relapse.
Contact our team at 833.922.2884 to learn more about our extensive treatment options, and begin your new life in recovery today with Sierra Sage.
