Understanding and Avoiding Relapse

Relapsing is one of the greatest threats to achieving long-term sobriety. Around 50% of people treated for a substance use disorder will relapse. Therefore, regardless if you seek professional addiction treatment, you still have a great potential of relapsing. This is because addiction is a chronic disease that involves a life-long recovery journey. Avoiding relapse is easier said than done. Keep reading to learn the top tips on preventing relapse so you can live a long-term life of sobriety.

At Rise in Malibu, we are a luxury drug rehab in Malibu committed to helping patients overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety. We offer a range of comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment services from traditional to modern therapies to best help as many patients as possible achieve long-term sobriety.

Relapsing Does Not Mean Failure

Relapsing occurs when you stop maintaining sobriety and abuse drugs or alcohol that ultimately jeopardizes your goal of sobriety. Relapsing can vary from a single event of relapsing to diving all in and abusing drugs or alcohol at nearly the same level you were before you started your recovery journey. Relapsing can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening due to the heightened risk of overdosing. This is because your body won’t be used to abusing drugs or alcohol at the same rate as you were before starting your recovery journey.

It’s important to understand that if you relapse, this does not mean you failed. Instead, look at relapsing as an opportunity to learn so you don’t relapse in the future. If you do relapse, it’s critical that you seek help so you can get back on the right path toward achieving life-long sobriety.

5 Tips On Avoiding Relapse

Know and Avoid Your Triggers

It’s essential that you understand your triggers. Triggers can be a range of internal or external things from anxiety and stress to certain people, places, or situations that may increase your urge to abuse drugs or alcohol. Understanding your unique triggers will help you be more self-aware and ultimately help you with avoiding relapse.

Join a Support Group

Attending addiction support groups can be a great way to receive additional support and gain a sense of community and connection as you progress along your recovery journey. A support group will not only keep you accountable but allow you to get inspired by hearing other recovering addicts’ stories and how they may have overcome tempting triggers in their recovery journey.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

Addiction recovery is a life-long journey. Your recovery journey doesn’t end after seeking professional addiction treatment. In fact, it’s just beginning! Everyone goes through ups and downs on their addiction recovery journey. If you are struggling along your recovery journey, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Reach out to a nearby drug rehab for assistance. And, consider seeking outpatient care to help further support you on your recovery journey.

Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits

From exercising consistently to balancing your stress and anxiety levels to getting quality sleep, it’s critical you practice healthy lifestyle habits to help prevent your risk of relapsing. If you are constantly under stress and tired, this can significantly leave you vulnerable to falling back into old habits of abusing drugs or alcohol.

Deep Breathing and Meditation

Last but not least, consider practicing deep breathing or meditation exercises to help ground you and control your cravings and emotions. Deep breathing and meditation are simple and highly effective relapse-prevention techniques that can help regulate your emotions and reduce your risk of relapsing.

Leading Drug Rehab in Malibu

Avoiding relapse is easier said than done. However, there are several ways you can prevent yourself from relapsing. From identifying and avoiding your triggers to practicing healthy lifestyle habits, all these tips can help you progress along your recovery journey and prevent you from relapsing.

At Rise in Malibu, we are a drug rehab committed to helping as many patients as possible overcome addiction and live a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. Gone are the days of struggling in silence with your addiction. Whether you are just starting your recovery journey, or have been sober for years, we are here to help you wherever you are on your recovery journey.