Many people in recovery get nervous that they may relapse, and many choose not to recover because they think that relapse is unavoidable. This is simply untrue. Yes, relapses are a part of many people’s stories, but they don’t have to be a part of yours. Also, if you do relapse, even after long-term sobriety, there is no reason to quit. As is often said, “Never give up until the miracle happens.”
How to Handle a Relapse After Long-Term Sobriety
The reality is that relapse can happen to anyone. It does not matter how long you have in recovery. Many people can become complacent and end up relapsing because they stop taking the steps that keep them sober in the first place.
The good news is that you can always bounce back after a relapse. The key is to catch it quickly and reconnect with a program of recovery right away. Yes, there may need to be a few changes to the plan, but ultimately, those changes will be beneficial in stopping another relapse from occurring.
Better Understanding Relapse
Many people don’t realize just how prevalent relapses can be. According to the peer-reviewed thesis Addiction Relapse Prevention, by Doctors Guenzel and McChargue, “One primary concern in addiction treatment is the high rate of relapses within a short period after even the most intensive treatment. Many studies have shown relapse rates of approximately 50% within the first 12 weeks after completion of intensive inpatient programs that often last 4 to 12 weeks or more and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
It is very important and can be easy to forget, especially with long-term sobriety, that a relapse can be very costly. This can be physically, emotionally, and, yes, financially. That is why knowing the signs of a relapse can be extremely helpful.
The Signs of Relapse
It is important to remember that a relapse happens long before someone takes that first drink or drug. That is because it is a “mental obsession” that starts to take hold first. This is often when someone lets their guard down.
There are many signs that a relapse may be around the corner. The following are just a few of those signs:
- Isolating oneself from family and close friends
- Obsessing over drinking and using (the “good ol’ days”)
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Choosing to hang out in toxic environments that may lead to drinking or using
- Stopping attending recovery meetings
- Stepping away from helpful tools like therapy
- No longer caring about physical appearance
- Feeling depressed and/or anxious
- Experiencing mood swings
- Engaging in dangerous behaviors
- Having suicidal ideations
If any, many, or all of these signs are present, it may be time to reach out for professional help. After all, the best way to manage a relapse is to catch one before it even happens.
Connecting With Others to Avoid a Relapse
One of the best ways to avoid a relapse is to continue working with other people in recovery. Working with others is so important that the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as The Big Book) titled a chapter, “Working With Others.”
The chapter states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail. You can help when no one else can.” Yes, sticking with other people who have the same positive motivation in recovery can be critical. There are also many helpful therapies that can help you avoid a relapse.
Utilizing Therapy to Avoid a Relapse
Utilizing therapies from all avenues of recovery can be highly beneficial. Yes, this includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), but it also includes therapies like art therapy and nature-immersion therapy.
Nature-based therapies offer a myriad of benefits that can help you to avoid a relapse. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Exposure to natural environments has also been studied in relation to the self-reported affective state, or the underlying experience of feeling, emotion, or mood. Although study measures vary, studies among adults have generally observed relationships between exposure to natural environments and affective state, with positive associations with positive emotions and negative associations with negative emotions.”
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is also why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, and why we always focus on the future and relapse prevention.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then you are ready to recover. You can do this! The time is now. We can help.
Many people experience a relapse after long periods of sobriety. This is why it is so important to know the warning signs to look out for, as well as what to do if a relapse happens. The good news is that if a relapse happens, there are many effective ways to get back into recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process all alone. For more information about recovering after a relapse, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
