No matter where you are in recovery, hearing the word relapse can be discouraging. You might feel like you’ve failed or that you’re back to square one. While relapse can feel like the end of recovery, it’s important to remember that it’s not. You can get back on track by taking a moment to re-center and strengthen your recovery. At Rise in Malibu, we want you to know that relapse does not define you or your capability of recovering from addiction. Many people experience relapse throughout their lives. Here’s how to get help after a relapse.
If you or someone you care about has relapsed, this article will guide you through what to do, how to seek help, and why you don’t have to manage this alone.
Relapsing in Recovery from Addiction: Understanding the Numbers
Let’s start with the facts. If you’ve relapsed after recovering from a substance use disorder, you’re far from alone. Research indicates that between40-60% of people in recovery experience a single episode of relapse during their journey to sustained sobriety (NIDA, 2020). The reason so many people struggle with relapse is that addiction is a chronic disease, not a moral weakness. Like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, recovery comes with its fair share of bumps in the road.
What’s important to know is that relapse doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made in recovery. Each step forward still matters, and reaching out for support after a relapse can help you gain better insight into what happened and how to prevent it in the future.
How to Get Help After a Relapse
When a relapse happens, the most encouraging step you can take is to seek help immediately. The quicker you act, the sooner you can interrupt behaviors that may worsen your recovery. Below, we discuss actionable steps for what to do when you relapse.
1. Recognize the Relapse Without Judgment
It’s important to acknowledge what’s happened without being overly critical of yourself. Acknowledge the slip, but don’t let guilt or shame consume you. Instead of seeing relapse as a failure, view it as a learning opportunity. This is a chance to uncover what triggered it and strengthen your coping strategies.
Reaching out to a compassionate professional at Rise in Malibu allows you to process your emotions without judgment. Our team prioritizes understanding and empathy, helping you shift your focus toward your next steps.
2. Identify the Cause
Relapses often occur when someone is confronted with high levels of stress or emotional vulnerability. Even the most prepared individuals may face unexpected triggers that seem overwhelming. Common causes of relapse can include:
- Familiar environments that remind you of substance use.
- Disconnection from supportive relationships or recovery groups.
- Mental health struggles, such as anxiety or depression.
- Poor coping strategies for challenging life events.
If pinpointing the cause feels difficult, don’t worry. Our clinicians and interventionists at Rise in Malibu specialize in helping people identify the real causes of their behavior. By understanding the why behind a relapse, we can help you build lasting strategies to prevent future slips.
3. Reevaluate Your Recovery Plan
Recovery plans are meant to evolve as you do, especially as new challenges arise. A relapse may signal a need to revisit your treatment plan. Perhaps additional therapy sessions are necessary, or more specific support for co-occurring mental health conditions would be beneficial.
At Rise in Malibu, we create customized recovery solutions in a lavish private setting. Whether your plan simply needs fine-tuning or a complete review, we work with you every step of the way so you feel supported and encouraged to move forward.
4. Surround Yourself with Support
Relapse can feel isolating, but the support of people who understand your journey can make all the difference. Involving family, trusted friends, or peer support groups can encourage you as you work through this phase.
If a family member or loved one is unsure how to help, our interventionists in Malibu, CA, specialize in guiding families through these pivotal moments. By partnering with you and those closest to you, we can rebuild relationships and encourage your recovery.
How Rise in Malibu Can Help
Rise in Malibu understands that relapse does not define who you are. Relapse is just a stepping stone that can set you back further in your recovery, or it can help you move forward towards maintaining your sobriety. Our trained staff of medical professionals, therapists, and interventionists has seen it all when it comes to getting you back on track after a relapse.
Here’s why reaching out to us could be the life-changing step you need:
- Holistic and Evidence-Based Care: We combine evidence-based therapies with unique approaches that address the emotional, mental, and physical health of each individual.
- Intervention and Crisis Support: Our interventionists are exceptional at helping individuals and families handle relapse with care and expertise.
- Discreet Comfort: Our luxurious, private setting provides a safe environment to heal without any distractions or judgment.
- A Team Committed to You: From the moment you contact us, we see you as more than just a patient. You’re a person with potential, and we are here with you to help you achieve it.
Whether you need short-term intensive care or ongoing outpatient support, we offer flexible options that cater to your needs.
You Are Not Alone
Relapsing in recovery from addiction may feel overwhelming at first, but it’s not the end of your story. It’s an opportunity to rewrite your story, acknowledge the progress you’ve made, and fine-tune the skills that will carry you forward.
At Rise in Malibu, we’re here to guide you through this moment with empathy and professionalism. Whether you’ve experienced a recent relapse or you’re supporting a loved one through this challenge. We offer you a clear and supportive path back to recovery.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you or someone you care about has relapsed and is ready to move forward, reach out. At Rise in Malibu, we specialize in helping individuals reclaim their lives after relapse, offering the highest level of care in a private, luxurious setting.
Contact Rise in Malibu today to speak with our intervention team and begin the journey back to recovery. We’re here to help you rise again.
