While many people may mistake it as a sign of failure, relapse is simply a normal part of the recovery journey. Many of those who experience it overcome it and go on to enjoy long-term sobriety. However, there are also ways to overcome it entirely, including by equipping yourself with the right tools, strategies, and mindset. For those in early recovery, it is particularly important to learn how to anticipate your triggers, manage stress effectively, and develop a structured life that helps to support your early sobriety.
At Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, we don’t just want to help you get sober and send you on your way. Rather, we want to give you all the tools necessary to support your long-term recovery. We do this through evidence-based therapies, relapse prevention planning, and holistic methods that can help empower you to avoid relapse. Our team strives to help you build the foundation you need to enjoy long-term recovery.
Understanding What Relapse Is and Why Relapse Prevention Is Necessary for Long-Term Recovery
Many people may think of relapse as one singular event, such as taking a drink or using a drug after a long period of sobriety. However, in reality, relapse is a process that often occurs over time. It begins well before any physical alcohol or drug use actually occurs. In many cases, it begins with emotional struggles such as mental health problems like excessive stress or anxiety, isolation, or poor self-care.
It is possible to learn to recognize the warning signs associated with these struggles. You can then take steps to address them before they progress into deeper issues that might contribute to relapse. Learning to recognize the signs of relapse and developing effective relapse prevention strategies is crucial for achieving long-term recovery. This is because addressing warning signs as early as possible is often easier than trying to recover from a relapse later on.
At Profound Treatment, we teach clients to recognize relapse warning signs early on rather than waiting for them to escalate. We also prioritize relapse prevention as a key part of the recovery process. Our team works to educate our clients on how to identify the different ways that relapse can occur and how to take the necessary steps to prevent it from progressing further.
The Three Stages of Relapse
Relapse occurs in three stages known as emotional, mental, and physical. In many cases, relapse can sneak up on a person before they even realize what may be happening. However, there are warning signs associated with each one of these stages. Learning to recognize them when they occur can help you act promptly and support your long-term recovery.
The first stage is emotional relapse. During this stage, you have not yet turned back to drug or alcohol use. In fact, you might not even be thinking about alcohol or drug use at all. However, there may be things that you’re doing that are setting you up for an eventual relapse. For example, you may be skipping 12-Step support group meetings or not keeping up with your self-care.
Some other warning signs that may be associated with emotional relapse may include:
- Keeping your emotions bottled up instead of expressing them
- Isolating yourself from others
- Not keeping up with therapy sessions
- Engaging in poor eating or sleeping habits
- Experiencing mood swings or irritability
- Losing interest in your usual hobbies or passions
- Minimizing the importance of staying committed to your recovery plan
- Feeling overwhelmed or anxious without knowing why
The next stage is mental relapse. This is when you may begin experiencing cravings again and have begun thinking about turning back to substance use. Maybe you still want to be sober, but have begun to minimize your past struggles with substance use, or romanticize your past substance use.
Some other warning signs that may be associated with mental relapse may include:
- Minimizing the past consequences of your substance use
- Planning ways to use drugs or alcohol and how you’re going to hide tit from others
- Reconnecting with people who used to engage in substance use (for example, a drug supplier)
- Telling yourself that this time will be different and you’ll be able to control yourself this time
- Bargaining with yourself or trying to come up with a reason or excuse to turn back to substance use
- Lying to yourself about how you’re really feeling
- Knowing that you are at risk of relapse and not reaching out for help
Physical relapse, the last stage, is when you physically begin using drugs or alcohol again. If you do experience physical relapse, remember that this isn’t the end of the recovery journey. Rather, it is a bump along the way, and long-term sobriety is still possible. Remember that the most important thing is that you reach out for help and get back on track.
Learning to Identify Triggers and High-Risk Situations
One of the most powerful tools in addiction recovery and relapse prevention is the ability to identify your triggers and avoid high-risk situations. Triggers can be either internal or external cues that may put you at risk of relapse. Some examples of internal triggers could include emotions or memories. External cues may include people, certain environments, or even smells.
Triggers can lead to cravings for drugs or alcohol, or they may lead to unhealthy behaviors that could potentially lead to relapse. High-risk situations are moments in which your likelihood of relapse may be particularly strong. This could be any situation in which your sobriety is in jeopardy. For example, this could be a party where you know drug or alcohol use could be heavy.
Everyone’s triggers and personal high-risk situations can be different. In addition, something that may be triggering for one person might not be triggering to you. For example, some people in recovery may be comfortable going to concerts or parties where they know alcohol or drug use will be present without being triggered. However, for others, especially those in early recovery, this may be a high-risk situation that they should avoid.
When you first begin your recovery journey, you might not know what your triggers are. We can work with you to identify these things, prepare for them, and develop effective coping mechanisms if you do encounter them. Having a plan or strategy in mind for your triggers can strengthen your confidence in your own recovery.
Everyone may handle triggers in different ways. Some people may respond to a trigger by reaching out to a trusted family member or friend. Others may choose to attend a 12-Step support group meeting or schedule an appointment with their counselor.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Relapse Prevention
Many people who haven’t personally experienced recovery before may believe that it’s all about how much willpower or self-discipline you have. However, in reality, it is much more complex. It’s about building new healthy habits, positive mindsets, and developing effective coping skills. It is also about receiving effective therapy strategies.
At Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, we utilize a variety of evidence-based therapies to help clients get to the root of their addiction. We also help them to learn how to develop healthier responses to stress that do not involve drug or alcohol use. Thing helps to promote better resilience and long-term recovery. These therapies are backed by research and can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each client.
One of the most effective therapies that we use at our facilities is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT involves helping people recognize negative thoughts, feelings, or behavior patterns. The clinician then helps the individual work through these things and understand why they are negative or distorted. From there, they can work on reframing their thoughts and establishing healthier or more positive thought or behavior patterns.
Some of the many benefits associated with CBT include:
- Becoming more aware of situations or emotions that may trigger substance use
- Learning how to pause and reflect before taking action
- Reframing negative thinking
- Letting go of shame or self-blame
- Building more effective coping skills
- Developing effective strategies to manage cravings
- Building greater self-confidence in recovery
Another evidence-based therapy technique that we utilize at Profound Treatment is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This type of treatment helps people manage intense emotions and develop healthy coping skills. It also helps to reduce impulsive behaviors. All of these factors are crucial for relapse prevention and can help you work toward positive, healthy changes in your life.
Other benefits associated with DBT include:
- Better emotional regulation
- Greater mindfulness
- Improved self-awareness
- Distress tolerance
- Better communication skills
How Routine and Structure Can Help Prevent Relapse
Another sometimes underestimated but extremely beneficial tool in relapse recovery is a healthy routine. Daily structure, especially in early recovery, can be great for your mental health and for avoiding triggers. When you don’t have a good routine, it can leave open periods of time throughout your day that could lead to boredom, uncertainty, overthinking, or impulsive decisions. All of these things can potentially lead to relapse.
However, when you have a clear routine, it can give you a sense of control, greater purpose, and a sense of stability. A good routine should involve things like regular meal times, exercise, rest, self-care, and time for meaningful connection with others. It may also involve 12-Step support group meetings or therapy sessions. When your day has a clear rhythm, it can leave you less idle time, which could be filled with risky behaviors that may result in relapse.
At Profound Treatment, we will work with you to develop a solid, healthy routine that fits your specific situation and will help to promote balance throughout your day. While attending our residential program, you’ll find that your day is very structured. Those who take part in this program are guided through a routine filled with therapy, group sessions, skill-building, self-care, and recreational activities. These routines can prepare you for success after you leave our facility by helping you to get started with structure and balance.
The Benefits of Peer Support for Relapse Prevention
Having a strong support system is critical in enjoying long-term sobriety and preventing relapse. It is often said that recovery doesn’t happen alone, and isolation is considered one of the most dangerous for those in recovery, especially those new to their recovery journey. Connection and peer support are crucial in fostering a sense of community and accountability.
You likely have family members and friends who want to do whatever they can to support you as you navigate your recovery journey. However, if they have never actually gone through addiction recovery before, they will have trouble fully understanding what you’re going through. Peer support group meetings in recovery provide an opportunity to connect with others who can relate to your experiences because they’ve been through similar circumstances themselves.
Peer support in recovery allows you to learn and grow from others who are also in recovery. Attending meetings can help hold you accountable and motivate you to recover. You can also feel more comfortable being vulnerable in this kind of environment because you don’t have to worry about judgment. Peer support in recovery helps to remind you that you’re not alone and long-term sobriety is possible, even on the more challenging days.
At Profound Treatment, peer connection plays a significant role in the healing process. As part of our treatment program, you have the ability to participate in group therapy and relapse prevention groups. During these groups, you can share openly and learn from others’ experiences. These groups promote meaningful connections and a deep sense of bonding that can continue long after you leave our facility.
Holistic Relapse Prevention Strategies at Profound Treatment
At Profound Treatment, we believe that relapse prevention isn’t just about clinical therapy. Rather, it is about addressing the needs of the whole person’s body, mind, and spirit. We integrate holistic relapse prevention strategies that help support long-term recovery. These strategies are centered around stress relief, balance, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healing from the inside out.
Some holistic or experiential activities that clients have access to at the Profount Treatment include:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Yoga
- Mindfulness meditation
- Adventure therapy
- Equine therapy
Bouncing Back After Relapse
If you’ve ever experienced relapse before, you know that it can feel devastating. While relapse can be discouraging, it is important to remember that this is not the end of your recovery journey. You can learn from your relapse experience and use what you’ve learned to help you as you continue on this journey. For example, you can take the time to consider what triggered you and how you responded to those triggers or cravings.
You can then develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress, make healthy life changes, and recommit to your recovery. If you do experience relapse, it is important to reach out to your treatment provider or counselor. They may want to readjust your treatment plan so that it best fits your current needs. Remember that healing isn’t linear, and the specific relapse prevention plan that worked for you when you first began recovery may no longer be the best fit for your needs.
At Profound Treatment, you never have to worry about being judged for going through a relapse. Instead, you will be greeted with complete compassion and respect. Our team will help you explore what specific emotions or situations may have led you to return to substance use. We’ll also help you to identify areas where you may need additional support. From there, we can update your treatment plan to best fit your current needs and situation.
As part of our treatment program, you’ll get to re-engage with therapy and connect with peers. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn valuable life skills that will support your sobriety for years to come.
For many people, relapse may be viewed as a failure and be associated with disappointment and shame. They may view it as a sign that long-term sobriety is simply not an option for them or that they don’t have what it takes to maintain recovery. In reality, however, relapse is common and is often simply part of the journey. If this is something that you experience, you should view it as a bump in the road, but not the end of your recovery journey. It is important to reach out for help and recommit to recovery as soon as possible. To learn more, give us a call at Profound Treatment at (310) 340-2609 today.
(310) 929-9546
