For many people new to sobriety, remaining sober after an alcohol addiction treatment program may be challenging. Even after a long period of sobriety, relapses are common yet should be viewed as a temporary setback and not the end of the recovery journey.
Understanding the signs that lead up to an alcohol addiction relapse is key to relapse prevention. At Sierra Sage Recovery Services, we understand these challenges and have developed programs and services to help prevent alcohol addiction relapse. Reach out to a specialist today by calling 833.922.2884.
Stages of Alcohol Addiction Relapse
Alcohol addiction treatment encourages individuals to recognize their own mental, emotional, and physical triggers to avoid relapse. However, life is full of triggers that may initiate the various stages of relapse. Some of the stages or kinds of relapse include:
- Mental Relapse: Actively thinking about using again is a form of mental relapse. The more a person dwells on the thought of substance use, the more difficult it is to stay sober. Idealizing the past or mentally planning a relapse are warning signs. If a patient’s thoughts are centered on using again, the risk of relapse increases.
- Emotional Relapse: Isolation, not sleeping or eating well, and keeping emotions locked inside are unhealthy behaviors for anyone. Poor self-care coupled with weakened coping mechanisms can lead to relapse. It’s especially important for a person struggling with substance use disorder to share their feelings in a therapeutic setting such as a 12-Step meeting, counseling, or alcohol addiction treatment program to learn the coping mechanisms to use when those emotions arise.
- Physical Relapse: A physical relapse is the final stage of relapse, where the person with a substance use disorder takes a drink of alcohol. A relapse doesn’t have to be a full-on spree of dangerous or uncontrolled drinking levels to threaten long-term sobriety.
Relapse can be just one of these kinds of involved all three in varying combinations or stages. What is vital is that when someone experiences any of these forms of relapse, they turn to their support network or seek professional help to get themselves back on the path to recovery.
Prevention Tips: Life After Alcohol Rehab
While attending an alcohol rehab program, participants are given many new tools for managing stress and building a new life without alcohol use. But it’s only after leaving treatment that they need to depend on their new skills to live the sober life they’ve dreamed of.
Preparation is the most important key to avoiding relapse, including new ways to cope with stress, new habits, and new friends. Having a treatment team consisting of professionals and support loved ones is essential for long-term sobriety.
The following may help prevent alcohol addiction relapse:
- Practice Stress Management: Practice breathing exercises, take a walk, do yoga, take up a new hobby, or go to a 12-Step meeting to help cope with cravings and calm your nerves.
- Change Your Lifestyle: Stay away from high-risk places or situations, seeking out new sober friends, and find ways to be of service to others.
- Take Care of Yourself: Make sure your emotional, physical, and mental health is a priority. Continue with counseling for emotional health. Eat well, and get enough exercise. Practice positive self-talk. Self-care is paramount to managing many of the mental, emotional, and physical triggers.
- Plan to Cope: Temptations will inevitably arise, but how individuals handle them will differentiate between remaining sober and relapse.
Learn More About Relapse Prevention at Sierra Sage Recovery Services
Alcohol addiction relapse does not signify the end of recovery or sobriety. Recovery is a process. Returning to an outpatient program or other alcohol treatment program may be the best way to continue down the path to lifelong sobriety. To learn more about addiction relapse or alcohol addiction treatment, contact an experienced addiction specialist at Sierra Sage Recovery Services today by calling 833.922.2884.
