Rebounding From Addiction Relapse: Turning An Obstacle Into Opportunity
If you’ve made it through substance abuse or addiction treatment then your newest goal is to remain sober. While challenging, it’s important to remember that you received and developed all the tools necessary to not only stay sober, but to bounce back from any relapse you may have along the way.
Relapses Happen All Too Often
It can be easy to fight the temptation to use drugs or alcohol once you’ve been out of treatment for a while. What can happen though is that your guard starts to slip or you no longer see as much danger in the substance as before. Don’t forget, addiction is a medically defined disease that can always come back if preventative measures aren’t taken.
One example that is possibly the most common scenario of relapse is through social drinking. Recovering alcohol abusers may be enticed to have a single drink with friends to celebrate an occasion before ending up on a binge drinking session that lands them back in treatment or the hospital.
How You Handle It Makes All the Difference
Relapses are common in the world of recovering from addiction. 40-60% of all successful treatment plans end with at least one instance of relapse. Understanding that this is a common occurrence and not an indication of how successfully you can live a sober life can make relapse seem less concerning when it happens.
Going through a relapse can be devastating when you think about losing all of the work you’ve put in up to this point. The truth of the matter is that you haven’t lost anything. Addiction recovery is a lifelong marathon, not a sprint that wraps up quickly never to be thought about again. You’ll need to utilize the methods and practices taught to you during your treatment plan to stave off future impulses.
One of the factors that sets Live Free Recovery apart from other addiction centers is that we focus on healing through the person. What we mean is that everyone has the strength inside them to fight off addiction and keep it at bay. Compassion mixed with proven 12-step programs and modern treatment methods are how we can consistently help each person that comes through our doors regain their independence from addiction.
What To Do After a Relapse
When a relapse happens, it’s easy to try to hide it or lie about it in order to avoid feeling embarrassed or disappointed in yourself, let alone disappointment from others. What’s happening here is that the relapse is being framed as a problem or obstacle in your way to what you see is the perfect life.
Let’s take that negative framing and turn it around. Every relapse is more of a stepping stone on the path to sober living. Sure, you may slip and fall but the important part is that it happened because you were moving forward. Take your time and work through the relapse, empowering your drive to be sober to avoid the harsh reality that you were in during the addiction.
Lastly, don’t worry if relapses are more than you’re able to handle on your own. Getting help to push through these periods is one of the best things you can do. Whether you’ve been through treatment with us or are experiencing relapses after treatment elsewhere, Live Free Recovery is here to help get you back on track no matter the situation.